to cell.223 In new cells, foreign prisoners have to deal with new stresses and problems that are not related
to the inevitable suffering of imprisonment, and in combination with other factors of imprisonment
conditions, equate to ill-treatment.224
The difficult life of foreign prisoners is complicated by the problems caused by the language barrier.
Employees of penitentiary institutions, except for few, do not speak international languages. Prisoners do
not have the opportunity to master the Georgian language. The situation has been complicated by the
measures taken to prevent coronavirus, as a result of which language courses have been suspended and
the inmates are not able to receive assistance from social worker in communicating with various agencies.
Due to their lack of language skills and lack of translators in the facility, foreign prisoners are unable to
contact psychologists and communication with medical staff is also difficult. The language barrier also
has a negative impact on the relationship with the staff of the institution.225 Prisoners believe that the
majority of staff and the administration of the establishments do not consider them as equal to the
Georgian prisoners and treat them in a discriminatory manner. In some cases, inmates also reported the
use of hate speech by the personnel. Discriminatory treatment also takes place while receiving medical
care. According to foreign prisoners, Georgian prisoners are able to meet with a doctor faster. There is
also a discriminatory approach in terms of nutrition, which does not take into account the cultural and
religious nutritional characteristics of prisoners, while the diet of penitentiary institutions is completely
adjusted to a calendar different from their religions.
The biggest problem for foreign is keeping contact with outside world226and their families. In addition to
the fact that prisoners practically can not exercise their right to be visited because of family members
living abroad, even telephone communication is associated with a number of obstacles. In the penitentiary
establishment N8, the practice is still in force that if the day of the phone call does not coincide with the
day of the international call, the prisoners will not be able to call abroad.227 Added to this the lack of
telephones, this may result in the day of the prisoner's cell queue end without the prisoner being able to
make a call.228 During the interview, the prisoners mentioned that a month could pass without them
being able to call their family members. In addition, making calls abroad is associated with financial costs
According to the regulations of the establishments, the purpose of the internal classification cells is to observe and study
the newly admitted prisoner in the institution in order to place him/her in the appropriate special cell. Conditions in cells
of internal classification are a source of discomfort for prisoners, as living and hygienic conditions are much worse than in
residential cells.
224
mutatis mutandis, Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights Khider v. France app no. 56054/12, para.111. In that
decision, the court took into account the circumstances that the frequent change of environment caused fear in the prisoner
and forced him to adapt, which caused him additional stress.
225 It should also be noted that the foreign detainees in the facility N8 positively described one of the security guards who
speaks English and assists the detainees.
226 2 English-language TV channels were added during the monitoring visit to the facility N8 on 3-4 December 2020, which
is welcome, although interviews with inmates revealed that the facility library had a very limited supply of foreign language
books.
227 For international calls, three days a week are designated in the facility N8.
228 "Monitoring Report of the N8 Penitentiary Establishment" prepared by the Human Rights Center and International
Prison Reform in accordance with the Rules of Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations of the Public Defender's
Office, p.58. See the link https://ombudsman.ge/res/docs/2021021915043953128.pdf [Last visited: 25.02.2021].
223
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