The visit, which began on 3 September 2007, focused on the treatment of prisoners in the Chelyabinsk Region of the Russian Federation. The delegation visited two strict-regime penitentiary establishments, Colony No. 1 in Oktyabrskyi settlement and Colony No. 6 in Kopeysk. In addition, it paid a visit to the Special Purpose Unit (“Spetsnaz”) of the Federal Service for the Execution of Punishments (FSIN) in the Chelyabinsk Region. Further, the delegation went to Prison Hospital (LPU) No. 3 in Chelyabinsk in order to interview two prisoners transferred from Colony No. 1 and to study medical documentation.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss with Yuri KALININ, Director of the FSIN, the implementation of previous recommendations made by the CPT as regards the Russian prison system. Further, the delegation met Pyotr SUMIN, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, as well as Alexander VOYTOVICH, Prosecutor in Charge of Supervising Legality in Establishments for the Execution of Sentences in the Chelyabinsk Region.
The visit was carried out by the following members of the CPT:
- Zděnek HÁJEK (Czech), Head of delegation
- Ladislav GETLĺK (Slovak)
- Veronica PIMENOFF (Finnish).
They were supported by Borys WÓDZ of the CPT's Secretariat, and assisted by James McMANUS, Professor of Criminal Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom (expert).