Human Rights Commission's Recommendation on 'Improvement Measures for Enhancing Prisoners' Human Rights' Partially Rejected by Ministry of Justice

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The National Human Rights Commission announced on the 4th that the Ministry of Justice has responded with a 'partial non-acceptance' stance regarding improvement measures to enhance the human rights of inmates in correctional facilities, including the formation of a disciplinary committee.

The Human Rights Commission conducted in-depth interviews with 74 inmates during visits to 10 detention facilities nationwide from August to September 2018, together with external experts. During the visits, the Commission focused on the process from segregation for investigation to receiving disciplinary punishment. The investigation revealed that inmates were often punished for simple verbal disputes, and in some correctional facilities, inmates were forced to wear protective equipment such as handcuffs even when sleeping or using the restroom.

The Human Rights Commission recommended improvements in eight areas related to segregation of inmates, including recording reasons for segregation, patrol team members wearing name tags, use of minimal protective equipment with video recording when used, ensuring the independence of the disciplinary committee, and guaranteeing the defense rights of inmates subject to disciplinary action, as well as seven items related to disciplinary measures.

The Ministry of Justice expressed non-acceptance opinions on six of the 15 recommendations from the Human Rights Commission. The Ministry cited current conditions where patrol team (CRPT) members face threats, complaints, lawsuits, and accusations from inmates as reasons for rejecting the recommendation to wear name tags. Regarding recommendations on the formation and regulations of the disciplinary committee, the Ministry cited limitations such as free deliberation and appointment of external members, indicating their intention not to implement the committee-related recommendations.

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