Women’s Struggles and Challenges in Iran’s Prison System
Qarchak Prison, located near Varamin, 35 km southeast of Tehran, exclusively houses female inmates. Known for its overcrowded conditions, substandard sanitation, and abusive treatment by prison staff, it has become a symbol of the broader human rights abuses under the Iranian regime. This report sheds light on the dire realities faced by women incarcerated in Qarchak Prison, highlighting the systemic neglect and maltreatment they endure.
A Hub of Oppression
Situated along the Varamin-Tehran highway, Qarchak Prison is notorious for housing women charged with various offenses, from drug-related crimes and financial fraud to “crimes” such as improper veiling or opposing the regime. Many of these women are victims of systemic corruption and socio-political repression.
Conditions in the prison are particularly harrowing:
- Torture and Abuse: Reports of physical and psychological torture, including beatings and sexual harassment by security personnel, are disturbingly common.
- Lack of Basic Hygiene: Prisoners often lack access to essential sanitary products, and unsanitary conditions contribute to widespread health issues.
- Social Isolation: Restrictions on family visits and communication exacerbate the emotional toll on inmates.
Structure and Overcrowding
Qarchak Prison comprises 10 sections, each accommodating 100–120 inmates, with an overall population exceeding 1,500 women ranging in age from 19 to 70. The prison’s infrastructure is grossly inadequate:
- Each section has 12 shared rooms, which are overcrowded and have up to 12 women per room.
- Limited facilities include six bathrooms and seven toilets per section, and while hot water is available, the water is brackish and unsuitable for regular use.
Health and Nutrition
Prisoners face severe neglect in medical care. Visits to external hospitals are rare and often insufficient, with only basic medications provided for common illnesses. Pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses receive minimal attention.
Medications are provided in very limited quantities. For instance, if a prisoner requires antibiotics, they receive no more than four or five pills. Doctors visit prisoners only once a month for general and gynecological conditions. In cases of serious illnesses, prisoners often have to wait days or even weeks to be transferred to medical facilities.
Food quality is another major issue. Meals consist of low-quality ingredients, including frozen and expired poultry, leading to frequent complaints.
Breakfast typically includes butter, jam, or halva, while lunch and dinner options like lentil rice, stews, or boiled eggs are repetitive and nutritionally deficient.
Exploitation in Workshops
Qarchak Prison operates several workshops, including tailoring and carpet weaving. However, the pay is exploitatively low, with prisoners earning a mere one million tomans (~$20 USD) monthly despite long hours of labor.
Visitation and Communication
Inmates can meet visitors either through a glass partition (monthly) or in person (bi-monthly). These restrictions have caused significant psychological distress for prisoners and their families. For mothers with young children, this delay is particularly unbearable.
Management and Inmate Grievances
The prison is managed by Soghra Khodadadi, whose abusive behavior has drawn widespread condemnation from inmates. Judge Kolivand, the supervising judiciary official, and local prosecutors also face accusations of negligence and misconduct. Prisoners frequently cite these officials’ indifference to their grievances as a significant source of despair.
A Call to Action
The inhumane conditions in Qarchak Prison reflect the broader systemic violations under the clerical regime. From political dissidents to ordinary women incarcerated for minor offenses, the lack of justice and human dignity in Iran’s prisons underscores the regime’s oppressive rule.
Exposing these injustices is a moral and political imperative. As technology enables global awareness, amplifying the voices of these silenced prisoners is vital. The international community must hold the Iranian regime accountable and support efforts to improve human rights within the country. Such advocacy is not only an act of solidarity but a step toward justice for all those suffering under this repressive system.
On December 2, 2024, the European Union extended its human rights sanctions against Iran for another year. The EU announced that Qarchak Prison in Varamin remains on the sanctions list due to its inhumane conditions. The EU’s statement highlighted that the living conditions in Qarchak Prison are deplorable and inhumane. Female prisoners are subjected to torture and abuse. They are deprived of access to clean drinking water, food, and medical assistance in overcrowded cells.
