Report on the results of the visit on 04.04.2017 to Zhytomyr Penal Colony No. 4

On 4 April 2017, in accordance with Art. 24 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Ruslan Horovyi, and Vasyl Melnychuk visited Zhytomyr Penal Colony No. 4, which is located in the city of Zhytomyr.

This institution is classified as a medium security level with a planned occupancy of 1,850 people; 596 convicts, who were convicted for the first time for committing serious and especially serious crimes, are serving their sentences in it.

The monitors visited the disciplinary isolation unit (DIZ), the cell-type premises (PKT), and the medical unit. There were three individuals in the DIZ who had disciplinary penalties in the form of placement in the DIZ for a period of 14 days; all convicts were held one to a cell. Each convict received the maximum 14-day term of placement in the DIZ, regardless of their various offences.

The material conditions in the disciplinary isolation unit cells were proper. The walls were whitewashed, the floor was covered with wooden boards, and the installed metal-plastic windows ensured sufficient natural lighting and ventilation – all windows in the cells were open during the monitors' visit. The bathrooms are finished with ceramic tiles, separated by partitions, and have doors that ensure the privacy of the convicts.

Convicts who had already spent a long time in the PKT and DIZ premises pointed to the humidity in the premises located on the ground floor and the low temperature in winter.

The PKT premises have slightly poorer material provision; the bathrooms there have not been renovated.

In the DIZ and PKT unit, the heating system and electrical network have been replaced; renovation of one of the premises of this unit was also being carried out during the visit.

The monitors also visited the institution's medical unit. The staff of doctors is fully staffed; 6 doctors work in the institution's medical unit. There is also its own laboratory here, where a general blood test is done, and all necessary analyses (urine, faeces, and sputum culture) are taken. The medical unit has an X-ray machine, and convicts undergo fluorography twice a year, just like everyone who arrives at the colony to serve their sentence. The dental office has new equipment, and a staff dentist works here.

From the head of the medical unit, it is known that there is a very small number of convicts with a diagnosis of HIV in the colony, 75% of whom receive ART.

Based on the results of the visit to the Zhytomyr Penal Colony, a TV report by 'Magnolia TV' was also prepared.