The situation at Fardis prison in Karaj has taken a concerning turn, particularly for female political prisoners. Authorities have recently transferred non-political inmates to the ward designated for female political prisoners. Unfortunately, this move has exacerbated existing problems, leaving these women in dire conditions.
Challenges Faced by Female Political Prisoners
Overcrowding and Lack of Resting Places: The influx of non-political prisoners has strained the available space, leaving female political detainees with inadequate resting areas. The lack of proper facilities affects their physical and mental well-being.
Hygiene and Sanitation Issues: The prison’s hygiene materials are insufficient, and lice infestations are rampant. Female prisoners struggle to maintain basic cleanliness due to overcrowding and limited resources.
Medical Neglect: Mothers with children, who are among the transferred prisoners, face additional hardships. The prison clinic fails to provide adequate medical care, offering only painkillers to sick women. The overall health of these children suffers due to the harsh conditions.
About Fardis Prison in Karaj
Located in Alborz province, Hossein Abad Fardis, Fardis prison (also known as Kachouii prison or Fardis penitentiary) primarily houses financial offenders.
The prison comprises four wards, each accommodating approximately 150 to 200 inmates, totaling nearly 1000 prisoners.
Hygiene materials are scarce, and families can only bring clothes for their incarcerated relatives every three months. Prison guards do not accept other items from outside.
Drug Availability and Medical Care
Narcotics, methadone, and B2 are administered under the supervision of the prison doctor. Shockingly, drugs like crystal meth and heroin are more accessible inside the prison than outside.
Sick women visiting the prison clinic receive minimal medical attention, emphasizing the neglect they face.
Torture and Inhumane Conditions
Inadequate food, hunger, lack of safe drinking water, absence of hot water for bathing, and insufficient heating equipment contribute to the torture endured by prisoners.
Mothers who bring their children to prison suffer greatly. The mental and physical health of these innocent children becomes collateral damage in the face of prison authorities’ cruelty.
The situation at Fardis prison in Karaj demands urgent attention and intervention to alleviate the suffering of female prisoners and their children.
