Within the oppressive walls of Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan, a harrowing tale of suffering and exploitation unfolds, largely hidden from the public eye.
Located near venues like Fadak Hall and the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center, this prison is not only plagued by dire sanitary conditions and inhumane living circumstances but has also become a site of systematic exploitation of female inmates.
According to a former detainee, women prisoners endure an unbearable and unsanitary environment, where 40 to 50 individuals are crammed into small spaces, some even deprived of a bed to sleep on. The lack of basic necessities, the spread of diseases such as lice among mothers and children, freezing cold showers, a shortage of cleaning supplies, and arbitrary restrictions are just a fraction of the hardships these women face daily.
But the story does not end there. Amidst their compounded suffering, incarcerated women are subjected to forced labor in a company called SNOVA. Under lucrative contracts with prison authorities, this company exploits the unpaid labor of inmates, reaping financial benefits that do not contribute to improving prison conditions but instead flow into the pockets of those in power.
Among the beneficiaries of this exploitation is Mohammad Reza Diani, a figure with a background in seminary studies and past ties to the Rouhani administration.
Zero Hygiene Standards: Cold Showers and the Absence of Basic Necessities
Describing the deplorable sanitary conditions, the former inmate recounts:
“Bathing was only permitted on designated days, and if someone had an urgent need, they had to plead with prison officials for permission. Even then, the water was always ice-cold. There was no liquid soap in the bathrooms, and inmates were forced to maintain personal hygiene with the bare minimum. Here, staying healthy is not a right—it’s a challenge.”
The suffering of these women remains hidden behind the thick walls of Dowlatabad Prison. Their voices, however, must not be ignored. Shedding light on their plight is not just a matter of awareness—it is a step toward justice.
