Zahedan Central Prison, located at the intersection of Daneshjoo Boulevard and Tavakkoli Street, is infamous for its dire conditions and the medieval methods of torture employed by its authorities.
Zahedan is the capital of the deprived Sistan and Baluchestan province in southeastern Iran.
This report, based on accounts from former inmates, sheds light on the appalling treatment of female prisoners within its walls.
Overview of Zahedan Central Prison
Zahedan Central Prison is notorious for the brutalities inflicted upon its inmates.
With eight male wards, security sections, quarantine areas, and one female ward, the prison is severely overcrowded, housing approximately 400 inmates per ward.
The prison environment is characterized by rampant drug availability, horrific sanitary conditions, and inadequate medical care.
Living Conditions of Female Inmates
In the female ward, the conditions are particularly severe. Women are subjected to extreme torture and humiliation.
Reports indicate that female prisoners are often burned with cigarettes, beaten, and verbally abused. Additionally, instances of sexual assault by prison officials have been reported, further exacerbating the trauma faced by these women.
Overcrowding and Sanitation Issues
The female ward is critically overcrowded, with 12 to 15 women crammed into each cell.
Most beds are broken and most prisoners sleep on the floor.
The lack of basic hygiene supplies means that the ward is plagued by infestations of lice and bedbugs, causing severe skin conditions such as scabies.
The prison’s sanitation facilities are inadequate, with overflowing sewage causing a pervasive, foul odor and contributing to respiratory illnesses among inmates.
The limited and often cold water supply exacerbates the poor hygiene conditions, making it difficult for inmates to maintain basic cleanliness.
Food and Nutrition
The quality of food in Zahedan Central Prison is abysmal. Inmates are provided with meals that are barely edible, such as low-quality soy-based dishes, poorly cooked macaroni, lentil soup, and boiled eggs. The substandard food often forces inmates to rely on limited personal resources to prepare their meals. This poor diet contributes to malnutrition and weakened health among the prisoners.
Potable water is salty and not fit to drink. Any prisoner who protests this condition, is told to buy mineral water.
Torture and Humiliation
Female inmates in Zahedan Central Prison endure continuous torture and humiliation. They are often subjected to severe physical abuse and degrading treatment by prison authorities. This includes beatings, burns from cigarettes, and verbal abuse.
Moreover, sexual assault by the head of the prison has been reported, adding to the trauma experienced by these women.
Political Prisoners
The situation is particularly harsh for political prisoners. These inmates are often held in damp, dark basement cells without any facilities, subjected to additional torture methods.
In the female ward, political prisoners are not segregated from those accused of other crimes, violating the principle of separation of different categories of offenders.
Many of these women are young students, detained for acts such as writing slogans or promoting dissent against the regime. These political prisoners are coerced into falsely admitting to drug-related charges, under threat of further torture.
Medical Neglect
Medical care in Zahedan Central Prison is grossly inadequate. Inmates with serious health conditions are often given only sleeping pills or sedatives, effectively rendering them unconscious without treating the underlying issues. This neglect leads to worsening health conditions and prevents inmates from receiving the necessary medical attention.
Coerced Religious Practices
The prison authorities enforce strict religious observances. During Ramadan, inmates are compelled to fast, and during the month of Muharram, they must participate in mourning rituals. Non-compliance with these religious practices results in severe punishments, including solitary confinement and physical torture.
Corruption and Mismanagement
Corruption is rampant among the prison staff. Inmates report that high-ranking officials engage in various forms of misconduct and exploitation. A notable example is a judge known as “Janfaza,” infamous for handing down harsh sentences, including frequent death penalties, without due process. Additionally, the charity organization “Diyya (blood money) and Penalty Charity,” intended to assist with fines and penalties, is reported to be led by a corrupt individual who exploits those seeking help.
Conclusion
Zahedan Central Prison stands as a stark example of the severe human rights abuses prevalent in Iranian prisons. The conditions for female inmates are particularly horrific, marked by severe overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, poor nutrition, torture, and sexual abuse.
The plight of political prisoners and the pervasive corruption among prison officials further highlight the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address these gross violations of human dignity.
