Torture in Prison
Prison authorities continue to resort to torture to degrade the dignity of inmates and force confessions. Such torture includes physical, psychological, and sexual violence.
In terms of psychological abuse, prison authorities have installed CCTV cameras in the cells of both male and female wards. Male staff members enter the female wards at night for inspection, leaving inmates feeling insecure. In addition, inmates are subjected to verbal abuse and threats on a daily basis.
Prison authorities, prison staff and wardens beat inmates with batons, use tasers on them and physically assault inmates by punching and kicking them for alleged infractions. Moreover, the “sitting in Pon San (stress position)” system continues to be used to degrade human dignity.
Additionally, searches inside prisons indirectly contribute to sexual harassment. Inmates are subjected to body searches, both over and under their clothing, including various forms of touching of private areas. Such searches take place when prisoners move between wards, and upon entering and leaving the prison for court hearings.