Historical Background

The building of the State Institution ‘Konotop Correctional Centre No. 130’ is the city’s first two-storey building. In 1820, a prison jail with administrative premises, with a total area of 411.6 m², was built in Konotop. Throughout various historical events, the territory of the current institution was used by the ruling authorities of the time for its intended purpose.

Until 1965, the institution was named ‘Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 2 of the Ministry of Public Order of the Sumy Region, Konotop’. It was then reorganised into a medical and labour ward for the detention of chronic alcoholics. From 1973, production areas increased to 3,068 m², and in 1976, a three-storey dormitory with a total area of 1,440 m² was built for the special contingent. In 1999, the institution was renamed the Konotop Medical and Labour Preventorium. The authorised capacity for convicts at that time was 800 people. In 2004, it was renamed again to Konotop Correctional Colony No. 130, with an authorised capacity of 500 convicts. There were several more renames, but in 2017, the facility finally received the name State Institution ‘Konotop Correctional Centre No. 130’.

During the visit, the monitoring group examined the documentation regarding the institution’s operations and medical records, and inspected the production, utility, and living premises, as well as the medical unit, to ensure compliance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation and international standards. The monitors visited the production premises, disciplinary isolation wards (DIZO), disciplinary facilities, the arrest house, living quarters, the bath and laundry complex, the canteen, the medical unit, and the visiting rooms.

General Section

The correctional centre for men sentenced for non-serious offences is located at 2 Baturynska St., Konotop, Sumy Region. The head of the institution is Colonel of the Internal Service Oleksandr Fursa.

According to the facility’s management, at the time of the monitoring visit, 101 convicts were being held in the institution, accommodated in four Social and Psychological Service (SPS) departments. One department is mothballed. During the current year, 68 convicts have arrived at the institution. In 2023, one convict died in the institution. There is one psychologist working at the facility. 26 people are employed under civil law contracts. The average monthly salary is 1,845.30 hryvnias. There was one convict in the Ministry of Health medical unit. Two individuals are prone to suicide, and two are prone to self-harm. There are three individuals registered with disabilities.

During 2022, 54 people were released on parole, and 42 people in 2023. Three individuals were transferred to more lenient conditions of detention. In 2022, seven ambulance calls were recorded, and eight in 2023. There are three inmates in the institution who are generally ostracized. During 2022, there were five long-term visits, and seven in 2023. Short-term visits totalled 13 in 2022, and 18 in 2023. There is a staff shortage of nine employees. Convicts have mobile phones in their possession, so they can make calls without restrictions.

Production

In the institution, convicts work in woodworking production, manufacturing briquettes and other products.

There is also a sewing workshop.

Living Area

All premises are renovated and cosy. In such premises, the convicts feel comfortable.

Dining facilities are equipped.

The beds allow for personal space. According to the administration, manufacturing one such sleeping place—a bed, a bedside table, and a stool—costs about 4,000 hryvnias.

Convicts may use their leisure time at their own discretion. They keep mobile phones and accessories in their possession.

Disciplinary Isolation Ward (DIZO)

There were no disciplined convicts in the DIZO. Representatives of the administration reported that the DIZO premises are almost never used.

Bath and Laundry Complex

Canteen

The dining hall is in a tidy condition. Bread is baked on-site.

Bomb Shelter

The premises are equipped. There is a tank with drinking water and a first-aid kit available.

Holding Area for New Arrivals

Convict P., following the court decision, arrived at the correctional centre independently to serve his sentence. Convict Z. also arrived at the correctional centre independently to serve his sentence. The convicts are waiting to be assigned to departments. There is a drinking water tank in every room.

Visiting Room

The visiting premises are equipped for relaxing with relatives.

The preventive monitoring visit to Konotop Correctional Centre No. 130 was conducted by the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group together with the NGO ‘Prisoners’ Rights Protection of Ukraine’. The monitoring group consisted of an assistant to the People’s Deputy of Ukraine, Kostiantyn Kasai; a member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Serhii Zuikov; a member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Justice, Oleh Tsvilyi; an assistant to the People’s Deputy of Ukraine, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn; and KHPG programme coordinator Andrii Didenko. The purpose of the visit was to analyse the observance of human rights in places of detention during the war. The visit was carried out as part of the project ‘Reducing the suffering of prisoners in the context of the war in Ukraine’, funded by the government of Denmark in partnership with DIGNITY — The Danish Institute Against Torture.

Date of visit: 11 October 2023