Coronavirus also spreads in prisons in Turkey, but an exact overview of the cases of infection is not available. Figures are only known from some prisons:

On April 21st, 65 confirmed infections were reported from Izmir-Buca prison. On April 28, 21 infections were reported among prisoners and prison staff in the E-type prison Konya. On 8 May, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Bakırköy reported 44 cases in the 7th Facility of the Silivri Prison Complex near Istanbul. 40 prisoners were quarantined despite negative test results due to previous contacts with infected persons. According to media reports, six wardens at the E-type prison Mardin tested positive.

In a report published today, the Libertarian Lawyers' Association ÖHD and the Istanbul Prisoners' Solidarity Organisation TUHAY-DER point out that the risk of infection in prisons is still very high and that insufficient measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Visits by relatives are still prohibited, and lawyers can hold conversations with their clients through a separating window. Medical care for prisoners, which was already very precarious before, has deteriorated dramatically as a result of the pandemic. The nutrition has also deteriorated, as food can no longer be ordered from outside the prisons, the supply of the prison canteens does not meet the demand and the meals are of much lower quality since thousands of prisoners used as kitchen staff have been released in the course of the prison reform.

The report also criticises the fact that the detention rooms are not cleaned and that disinfectants are only available for purchase. Prisoners have only very limited access to the yard and there is often no hot water.

In their report, the two organisations say: "As the prisoners often have no contact with the outside world for a long time, they are more susceptible to viral diseases with their weakened immune systems. The spread of the virus violates their right to life and health. They must be released immediately."