Prison Agenda #2
Issue #2 | June 2026: What happened in Türkiye prisons over the past month?
Hello,
For those who have just joined us, I am Ahmet. I am here with the 2nd issue of Prison Agenda. I prepared this newsletter with the support of my teammate Tutku. We plan to switch roles for the next issue. In our very first issue, I introduced Prison Agenda to you and shared what we do. If you would like to read it again, or if you are one of our new subscribers who just joined us, you can click on this link to access the first newsletter.
As I mentioned at the end of our first newsletter, this issue will mainly focus on updates and news about prisons in Türkiye for May. The past month was quite active from a statistical perspective. Both the Ministry of Justice and the Council of Europe published their annual penal statistics regarding prisons. We will be sharing the Turkish content we prepared for both reports with you in the coming days. In fact, we also plan to send you some of the special dossiers we have been preparing since January in English in the near future.
The newsletter’s structure will be further refined in July and August. This issue includes sections on current statistics, news, important events, and dates. Future issues will feature new sections as well. As we are in the early stages of this process, we highly value your input in shaping the newsletter. For this reason, a survey link is included at the end of the newsletter that will only take a few minutes of your time. We would be very grateful if you could share your feedback with us.
We try to provide the links to the stories below through English sources as much as possible. However, it is not always possible to find all the news in English, especially from the local press and alternative media outlets with limited resources. Therefore, you may see some content in Turkish when you click on the links. If automatic translation is not sufficient for you in these cases, you can always reach out to us at prisonagenda@gmail.com with your questions or requests for assistance.
Following a brief note, I will hand it over to the newsletter. Penal Reform International has also published its Global Prison Trends 2026 report. Although limited, information regarding Türkiye is also included in the report. If you would like to review it, you can access it via this link.
Enjoy your reading…
Current Statistics
The latest data, dated June 1, 2026, shared by the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses (CTE) regarding prisons is as follows:
Total Number of Prisoners: 421.583 (64.705 Prisoner on remand, 356.878 Sentenced)
Distribution by Prison Type: 117.661 Open Prisons, 303.922 Closed Prisons
Recorded Demographics: 20.360 Women, 396.550 Men (Over 18 years of age)
Number of Juvenile Prisoners: 4.673 (226 Girls, 4.447 Boys)
Probation: 499.588 people (as of May 31, 2026)
Probation Demographics: 31.426 Women, 468.162 Men
Juveniles under Probation: 10.812 (913 Girls, 9.899 Boys)
Note: While we will continue to present these statistics in short monthly summaries, we will also analyse this data in more detail quarterly. We will share this analysis with you as a separate data bulletin.
News Round-Up: What Happened in the Last Month?
May was a highly active month, characterized by intensifying rights violations, hunger strikes, and civil society monitoring reports in prisons, while also sparking discussions on new construction projects and structural issues. We have compiled all the prominent developments for you.
Rights Violations, Allegations of Violence and Assault
The Constitutional Court (AYM) ruled that an effective investigation was not conducted regarding the application of Ferhat Demirbaş, who was assaulted in Osmaniye Prison, and awarded 165.000 TL in compensation. Report by Hamdullah Yağızkesen from MA.
The AYM canceled an 11-day solitary confinement sentence given to political prisoner Mazlum Dağtekin based on a written note, finding it in violation of the right to a fair trial. Report by Sema Bingöl from MA.
It was reported that relatives of judicial detainees who went for contact visitation at the Bafra T-Type Closed Prison were subjected to strip-searches.
A female officer working at the prison campus in Kayseri filed a lawsuit, stating that she was subjected to sexual harassment and physical violence by the institution’s Second Director (Deputy Warden).
Hunger Strikes and the Right to Health
Tuğçenur Özbay, held in Şakran Women’s Closed Prison, has dropped below 45 kilograms and is experiencing severe health issues during her hunger strike against the enforcement of ID cards. CHD, CISST, and other rights organizations issued an urgent call and press release for Özbay.
The health conditions of Tahsin Sağaltıcı, Gürkan Türkoğlu, and Hüseyin Özen, who are on a hunger strike and were transferred to Antalya L-Type Prison, are critical. It was announced that the 3-month suspension of execution granted to Türkoğlu, who is currently in intensive care, has not been practically implemented. Report by Hamdullah Yağız Keskin from MA.
It was reported that Cem Dursun and Tacettin Erol Şahin, who went on a hunger strike at Marmara No. 6 L-Type Closed Prison, were placed in solitary confinement without any investigation being opened.
Sick Prisoners and Blocked Releases
The release of Nedime Yaklav, a prisoner for 34 years at Sincan F-Type Women’s Closed Prison, was postponed for the seventh time by the Administrative and Observation Board (İGK).
In Sincan, Ankara, the release of sick prisoner Pınar Tikit was blocked for the second time for a period of 6 months by the İGK.
It was alleged that Jiyan Alpsar, who was placed in the same ward as a tuberculosis-infected prisoner at Van T-Type Prison, was denied medical treatment after refusing the enforcement of handcuffed medical examinations and oral cavity searches. Report by Bilal Babat from MA.
It was claimed that Mehmet Salih Filiz, a sick prisoner at Izmir High-Security Prison, was attacked by soldiers at the hospital, and the military doctor refused to issue an assault report. Report by Tolga Güney from MA.
The condition of Daveti Tan, a 61-year-old prisoner with Alzheimer’s disease, is deteriorating; Tan, who is being kept in a solitary cell, can no longer recognize his children.
DEM Party MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu announced that the release of a prisoner, a former clerk dismissed by an Emergency Decree (KHK) whose kidney has reached the point of failure, was blocked by a decision of the İGK.
A 55-year-old prisoner receiving treatment at Mardin Training and Research Hospital lost their life.
Visits, Parliament, and Institutional Reports
The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (TİHEK) conducted unannounced monitoring visits to Çorum Sungurlu T-Type, Hakkari Closed, Menemen T-Type, and Alanya L-Type prisons in May.
The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) Investigation Sub-Committee visited Eskişehir H-Type and Eskişehir L-Type Closed Prisons.
DEM Party MP Newroz Uysal Aslan brought to the parliamentary agenda that petitions sent by prisoners to the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission (İHİK) fail to reach the commission.
The Diyarbakır Bar Association highlighted in its report that rights violations at the Diyarbakır Juvenile and Youth Closed Prison have become chronic and structural.
The Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Ankara Branch released its 6-month monitoring report on violations of the right to health for sick prisoners held in prisons across Central Anatolia.
The Civil Society in the Penal System Association (CİSST) announced that R-Type prisons (Rehabilitation Type), of which there are only three in Türkiye, remain insufficient for disabled and severely sick prisoners. Report by Sultan Gümüş Kaya from İlkSes.
DEM Party MP Ömer Faruk Hülakü prepared a report indicating that torture and isolation practices are deepening at the Çarşamba S-Type Prison.
Prof. Dr. Ümit Biçer and Lawyer Güçlü Sevimli emphasized that “well-type” high-security prisons generate policies of dehumanization and isolation, and therefore must be closed. Report by Mesude Demir from Diken & MA.
The Conscience Foundation (Vicdan Vakfı) published a rights violations report regarding the situation of children aged 0-6 who are forced to live in prison with their mothers.
Other Allegations and Calls Brought to Parliament
Rights organizations announced that an enforcement of “you cannot speak Kurdish” has been imposed on prisoners in Van F-Type and T-Type prisons.
ÖHD, MED TUHAD-FED, and the DEM Party issued a call for the immediate release of women whose discharges have been blocked in Sincan; meanwhile, the imprisoned women filed a criminal complaint against the members of the Administrative and Observation Board (İGK).
The DEM Party applied to the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission (İHİK) for an examination into the situation of Nubahar Özdemir, a sick prisoner held under aggravated life imprisonment in Sincan.
The story and legal process of Mazlum İçli, a prisoner of 12 years who was arrested at the age of 14 and sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, are back on the agenda. Report by Reyhan Hacıoğlu and Bedri Adanır from Yeni Yaşam.
DEM Party MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu disclosed allegations of bribery and mobbing at the Marmara No. 3 Closed Prison during a session in the TBMM.
Institutional Developments and Discussions
AK Party Group Chairman Abdullah Güler announced that, contrary to public allegations, there is currently no work underway regarding a general amnesty.
The Istanbul Bar Association reacted against the leak and exposure of lawyers’ visitation logs from penal execution institutions in certain media outlets.
Osman Baturay Teymur was appointed as the Deputy General Director of the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses (CTE) under the Ministry of Justice. Report by Özlem İpek from Gazete Pusula.
The interior of Türkiye’s largest courtroom, located within the Marmara Prison Campus in Silivri, Istanbul, was photographed and filmed for the first time.
Constructions, Workshop Activities, and Incidents
It was announced that due to delays and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing prison construction in Siirt, staff are forced to commute to Beşiri everyday.
A worker was injured and hospitalized after falling from a height at the closed prison construction site currently underway in Niğde.
15 convicts were slightly injured after the roof of the Manisa Salihli Open Prison was blown away during a storm.
20 convicts and detainees at the Zonguldak Beycuma M-Type Prison were treated for suspected poisoning after experiencing nausea and vomiting. Report by Pınar Topçu from Pusula Gazetesi.
Sakarya University students painted the walls of the Geyve Open Prison in vibrant colors as part of a social responsibility project.
The Diyarbakır Regional Directorate of Foundations organized a social support event for imprisoned youth at the Diyarbakır Juvenile Prison.
A charcoal drawing of a prison cell by İpek Elif Atayman, the former Director of İBB Medya A.Ş. who was arrested during the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) investigations, went viral on social media.
The Izmir Bar Association Prison Commission met with Izmir City Hospital officials regarding applications received from prisons.
Production workshops at the Bursa Gemlik Open Prison were inspected by a delegation from the Ministry.
The agricultural and livestock activities at the Ankara Kalecik Open Prison were featured in the press.
An inmate employment protocol was signed between the CTE and the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM).
Important Events and Dates
In this section, you can find international events you can follow in the upcoming period and the significance of critical days in June in terms of prisoner rights. You can send the events you would like to see featured in our newsletter to prisonagenda@gmail.com.
Events
Political Prisoners’ Dreams Meet Artificial Intelligence (June 14 - July 15 | Mersin, Türkiye)
Organized in cooperation with the Görülmüştür Collective and Kültürhane, this digital exhibition is a loyalty project that creates a bridge between the inside and the outside by visualizing the childhood memories and utopias of political prisoners using AI.
CJPE Summer Course 2026 (July 7-10, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain)
Organized for professionals working in correctional and penal systems, this training program is designed for professionals who want to follow current practices and ethical debates in European standards.
14th Electronic Monitoring Conference (October 6-8, 2026 | Antalya, Türkiye)
Hosted by Türkiye, this gathering will discuss global innovations in electronic monitoring and probation technologies, carrying critical importance for the future of local practices.
ICPA 2026 Annual Conference (October 25-30, 2026 | Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Focusing on transformations in correctional systems, this conference offers a valuable platform to discuss rehabilitation models and next-generation correctional technologies along with their ethical dimensions.
Dates
Certain special days in June offer us significant opportunities to bring the reality of prisons to the forefront from different perspectives.
June 1 - 30 - Pride Month
An important period to draw attention to the discrimination and specific challenges faced by LGBTI+ prisoners held in Türkiye’s prisons.
June 6 - Correctional Staff Day
An important day to recognize and remember the working conditions, labor processes, and personal rights of personnel working in prisons.
June 20 - World Refugee Day
A critical date to bring to the agenda the challenges, such as language barriers, deprivation of rights, and isolation, experienced by foreign prisoners held in Türkiye’s prisons.
June 26 - International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
A valuable day to remind the public of international conventions and raise awareness against isolation, rights violations, and ill-treatment occurring in prisons.
Next Issue and Survey
In June, we plan to publish thematic content focusing on LGBTI+ and foreign prisoners. Additionally, on June 26, we will share a special file dedicated to the anniversary of the UN Convention Against Torture.
We will also send you our CTE prison statistics data bulletin, the first edition of which we published in Turkish back in March, just before our 7th issue in early July.
We never know what June will bring for prisons, but it is certainly going to be a very busy month for us :) Our greatest motivation is to see our newsletters read and to reach more people. We look forward to your support on this journey to help make our voices heard louder. Thank you so much in advance!
Finally, we highly value improving our newsletter with your feedback. If you would like to share your thoughts and contribute to the newsletter, you can click here to access our survey.
See you in July…
Prison Agenda is supported through the Digital Spark granting scheme, as part of the Regional Support Mechanism EECA project, implemented by Metamorphosis Foundation and TechSoup, in partnership with CIVICUS and under the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) that covers the Global South.