Neglecting inmates at correctional facilities during the heat wave is a violation of basic rights... File a constitutional complaint

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Bal-eum = A constitutional petition was filed claiming that neglecting correctional facility inmates during the heat wave was a violation of their basic rights.

The Public Interest Human Rights Lawyers' Association for Creating Hope, Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), and the Catholic Human Rights Committee held a press conference at the Minbyun conference room in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 22nd and announced that they had requested a constitutional appeal on behalf of 19 inmates from 12 correctional facilities across the country.

They explained that legislative and administrative omissions (failure to do what they were obliged to do) to ensure an appropriate temperature in correctional facilities were also included in the judgment.

They say that the life and health of prisoners are not sufficiently protected because the appropriate temperature for correctional facilities is not specified in the Penalty Execution Act or the detention management and custody service guidelines.

Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the current Penalty Execution Act stipulates that ‘the living room must be equipped with an appropriate level of space and facilities for lighting, ventilation, and heating so that prisoners can live a healthy life.’

They said, "The correctional authorities have so far taken the position that this 'appropriate temperature effort obligation clause' is sufficient, but they have not made even the minimum effort, so it is time for judicial and legislative control."

He emphasized, "I hope that this constitutional appeal will be used as an opportunity to urgently discuss and prepare measures to guarantee the dignity of prisoners during the upcoming heat wave."