Prison Agenda #3
Issue #3 | July 2026: What has happened in Türkiye prisons over the past month?
Hello,
I am Tutku. Following the first two newsletters, I have taken over from Ahmet. I am here with the 3rd issue of Prison Agenda. June was a very busy month both for prisons and 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! We highly value improving our newsletter with your feedback. I would like to remind you once again of our reader survey that we shared in the second issues. If you would like to share your thoughts and contribute to the newsletter, you can click here to access our survey.
Furthermore, 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.
Without further ado, I would like to move on to the updates regarding prisons in Türkiye during June.
Enjoy your reading...
Current Statistics
The latest data, dated 1 July 2026, shared by the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses (CTE) regarding prisons is as follows:
Total Number of Prisoners: 427.525 (63.905 Prisoner on remand, 363.620 Sentenced)
Distribution by Prison Type: 119.888 Open Prisons, 307.637 Closed Prisons
Recorded Demographics: 20.803 Women, 402.159 Men (Over 18 years of age)
Number of Juvenile Prisoners: 4.563 (195 Girls, 4.368 Boys)
Probation: 497.788 people (as of 30 June 2026)
Probation Demographics: 31.541 Women, 466.247 Men
Juveniles under Probation: 10.791 (944 Girls, 9.847 Boys)
News Round-Up: What Happened in the Last Month?
With intensifying allegations of rights violations, hunger strikes, and consecutive suspicious deaths in prisons, June was a striking, memorable, and highly intensive period. We have compiled all the prominent developments for you.
Rights Violations, Torture and Allegations of Strip-Searches
The Hakkari Bar Association, IHD (Human Rights Association), and OHD (Freedom for Lawyers Association) prepared and announced a joint report regarding allegations that two Iranian nationals detained at the border were subjected to physical and sexual torture during their detention and subsequent imprisonment.
The process endured by prisoner Volkan Ayvazlı, who was subjected to violence at the Manisa Akhisar T-Type Closed Prison, came to the agenda through a news series prepared by Zana Kaya from Yeni Yaşam. [News 1] - [News 2] - [News 3]
A criminal complaint was filed on the grounds that political prisoner Murat Yalçın was subjected to a forced strip-search against his will at the Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison, where he was brought for a court hearing.
The IHD Adana Branch and OHD Adana Representation shared a joint report with the public, stating that rights violations in the city’s prisons have become systematic.
EMEP MP Sevda Karaca brought allegations of ill-treatment and discrimination against LGBTI+ prisoners at the Eskişehir Closed Prison to the parliamentary agenda.
While sick prisoner Musa Sertkal was treated in the infirmary instead of a hospital at the Kandıra F-Type Prison, it was alleged that prisoners experiencing health issues in Erzincan were initially examined by prison officers (İKMs).,
Sick Prisoners, Releases and Obstructions
Hamdullah Aydemir, a severely sick prisoner with a 92% disability rate, continues to undergo chemotherapy treatment under prison conditions.
Severely sick prisoner Önder Poyraz is not being released despite spending his life in a wheelchair.
Mehmet Akpolat, a 31-year prisoner held in the Bolu F-Type Prison, is being kept in a room with stairs despite his chronic illnesses and joint traumas.
Severely sick prisoner Yılmaz Çerçel, a 33-year prisoner whose release had been postponed exactly 6 times by the Administrative and Observation Board (İGK), was finally released from the Eskişehir H-Type Closed Prison.
It was reflected in the public press that the releases of 25 female prisoners at the Sincan Women’s Closed Prison have been unlawfully blocked by the decisions of the İGK.
Following 32 years of imprisonment, Aygül Kapçak was released from the Şakran Women's Closed Prison, while Dilek Öz and Süreyya Bulut were released from the Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison.
Hunger Strikes
The IHD Prison Commission issued an urgent call, announcing that the hunger strike sustained since April 1, 2026, by Seda Baykan, who is held in the Diyarbakır Women’s Closed Prison, has reached a critical stage.
DEM Party İzmir MP İbrahim Akın brought the situation of Tuğçenur Özbay, who is on a hunger strike at the Şakran Women’s Closed Prison and whose weight has dropped to 41 kilograms, to the agenda of the TBMM General Assembly. Report by Eylül Emek Kılınç from İz Gazete.
Deaths in Prisons and Allegations of Suicide
Abdullah Yalçın, who was held as a non-political prisoner on remand at the Siverek Prison in Urfa, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the solitary cell where he had been kept for 10 days.
It was alleged that at least 4 female prisoners committed suicide and lost their lives, and at least 7 women self-harmed in the last 4 months at the Sincan Women’s Closed Prison. Report by Melek Avcı from Jinnews.
An investigation was launched following the discovery of the body of 65-year-old convict Ahmet Bulat in the restroom of the Nazilli Open Prison in Aydın.
It was alleged that Ali Ciminli, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, ended his life in the prison where he was held in Erzurum. Report by Birol Ergin from Erzincan Birlik.
It was learned that Arda Küçükyetim, who was sentenced to 75 years in prison, ended his life in the prison where he was held in Eskişehir.
Information was obtained that 37-year-old Emrah Ateş, who was held as a prisoner on remand at the Bartın Prison, ended his life.
It was learned that 38-year-old Tamer Ö., who left the Giresun Open Prison on official leave 3 days prior, ended his life in Atakum, Samsun.
An official prison leave permit was found on Tayfun Güleç, whose body was discovered in an empty field in Antalya.
Institutional Reviews, Reports and Legal Developments
Türkiye ranked 5th globally among the countries with the highest prison population.
The Constitutional Court (AYM) ruled that a rights violation had occurred regarding the special practice widely known as the “padded cell” (yumuşak oda) in prisons.
The AYM found no violation of freedom of expression regarding a disciplinary punishment given for chanting the slogans “our right to books cannot be blocked” and “freedom to the press and media“.
An investigation was launched against the management of the Izmir Bar Association, citing the reports and statements they prepared regarding rights violations in prisons.
7 human rights organizations operating in Van published a joint report documenting severe rights violations across 9 different prisons in the region.
Following their visits to prisons in the Black Sea Region, members of the DEM Party Prison Commission disclosed the violations faced by prisoners to the public at the TBMM.
The “12th Judicial Package” law proposal was approved by the TBMM Justice Commission.
Following the rejection of their request for a retrial, the lawyers of foreign prisoner Zaim Hişman Ali, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment at the age of 17 after his age was legally increased, filed an appeal with the upper court.
Ministries, TBMM and Official Collaborations
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that two model prisons have been established to ensure that drug-convicts fully recover from addiction before their release. Report by Nalan Güler Güven from TGRT Haber.
Within the scope of the Council of Europe’s joint project aimed at strengthening the rights and conditions of female prisoners in Türkiye, rehabilitation and prison management practices were addressed across four provinces.
Within the scope of the European Union & Council of Europe Joint Project, a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony was held between the AYM and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) to reduce rights violations.
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin announced that the number of detained and convicted students during the 2025–2026 academic year stands at 73,075.
Personnel, Trainings and Employment
The 6th of June Correctional Staff Day, which began to be officially celebrated for the first time this year within the CTE, was commemorated with a special program organized at the Sincan Campus.
It was alleged that İKM Murat Koçkaya, who was serving at the Ayaş Open Prison, committed suicide at his workplace.
Prison personnel in Kocaeli are requesting maintenance for the institutional shuttle services. Report by Yavuz Solmaz from Özgür Kocaeli.
Within the scope of the National Water Efficiency Mobilization, a water efficiency awareness training was conducted for the personnel serving in prisons across Afyonkarahisar. Report by Mustafa Ertürk from Kocatepe Gazetesi.
CTE General Director Çelebi Yılmaz attended the EuroPris 15th General Assembly and the Council of Europe 31st Conference of Directors of Prison Administration.
Prison Projects, Relocations and Social Activities
AK Party Afyonkarahisar MP İbrahim Yurdunuseven announced that an additional 180 decares of land was allocated for the open prison planned to be constructed in the Sülümenli region, thereby expanding the area.
Within the scope of security measures for the NATO summit to be held in Ankara, it was learned that the prison canteen in Sincan will be temporarily closed. Report by Sema Bingöl from Mezopotamya Ajansı.
The “Good Practices and Innovative Approaches Awards in Correctional Services,” organized by the CTE, were presented to their recipients at a ceremony.
People under probation in Kocaeli carried out painting and renovation activities at the Provincial Security Directorate service building.
Our Special Issues
We have compiled our special feature files below, which we prepared with an intensive working pace over the past month, for those who missed them or have just joined us.
Data Bulletin | The Penal System with Statistics #1
We analyzed the January, February, and March 2026 data published by the CTE regarding prisons.
Data Bulletin | The Penal System with Statistics #2
We scrutinized the April, May, and June 2026 data published by the CTE regarding prisons.
Infographic | Foreign National Prisoners in Türkiye
On the occasion of the June 20 World Refugee Day, we examined the data of foreign national prisoners in Türkiye over the last decade.
News | What does the European Parliament report say about prisons in Türkiye?
We conveyed the evaluations and criticisms regarding prisons included in the European Parliament’s 2025 Report on Türkiye.
On the 39th anniversary of its entry into force, we discussed the significance of the UN Convention Against Torture for Türkiye and the UN Committee’s latest findings regarding prisons.
Article | “Punishment within punishment”: LGBTQ+ prisoners
We wrote about the challenges faced by LGBTI+ prisoners in prison, who mostly remain out of the public eye due to institutional limitations and structural problems.
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 July in terms of prisoner rights.
Events
Political Prisoners’ Dreams Meet AI (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.
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.
EPTA Annual General Conference (October 21–22 | Marly, Switzerland)
Bringing together prison education academies from across Europe, this year’s annual conference hosted by Switzerland will focus on the theme of digital skills and AI.
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.
16th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival (November 27–December 2 | İstanbul, Türkiye)
A thematic festival striving to enrich socio-cultural life and aiming to create a social impact on justice within the context of human rights and freedoms, by using the striking language of art and science.
Dates
Certain special days in July offer us significant opportunities to bring the reality of prisons to the forefront from different perspectives.
July 10 | World Law Day
A special day celebrated annually to emphasize the rule of law, judicial independence, and the universal values of justice.
July 17 | International Criminal Justice Day
Also known as the day to “fight against impunity,” this date carries great symbolic importance for the global prosecution of rights violations in prisons and the establishment of a fair criminal justice system.
July 18 | International Nelson Mandela Day
Marking the birthday of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years of his life in prison due to his anti-apartheid struggle, July 18 stands as the most critical global remembrance date for raising awareness about improving prison conditions and protecting the human rights of prisoners.
Next Issue
We plan to share a special article with you on July 18 for Nelson Mandela Day. In addition, we are currently working meticulously on various other files. We will probably have some surprise extra content as well, but let’s not make any promises for now :)
See you in August...
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.