Reports indicate that Iran’s Prisons Organization has initiated a plan to transfer 1,200 prisoners from Karaj Central Prison to the overcrowded Qezel-Hesar Prison, exacerbating already dire conditions for inmates. The move, ostensibly aimed at exploiting prisoner labor, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights observers.
Severe Overcrowding at Qezel-Hesar Prison
Qezel-Hesar Prison, located near Tehran, is currently housing inmates far beyond its capacity. Dormitories designed to hold 9 to 12 beds are accommodating 15 to 20 individuals, forcing many prisoners to sleep on floors or in hallways. Even religious halls, which have been repurposed for housing, are overcrowded, with 50 to 60 people crammed into spaces meant for far fewer.
The prison, known for its deteriorating health and sanitation conditions, houses between 400 and 600 inmates per ward, many of whom struggle with drug addiction. A significant number of prisoners suffer from serious illnesses, including HIV, with inadequate access to medical care. Poor ventilation, lack of hygiene, and pervasive drug use have created an environment unfit for basic human dignity.
Exploitation of Prisoner Labor
The planned transfer appears linked to labor exploitation. Reports suggest that inmates may be used to work in factories, with profits benefiting high-ranking officials within the prison system. Affected prisoners, including 1,200 from Qezel-Hesar’s Unit 4 and 500 Afghan nationals, have been employed under harsh conditions in the prison’s workshops.
Prisoners recently forced to improve Unit 4 living conditions at their own expense are now facing another displacement. Families of political prisoners in this unit have voiced concerns about the psychological toll of these repeated relocations.
A History of Poor Planning and Rights Abuses
This is not the first time prison transfers have worsened conditions. Last year, the sudden closure of Gohardasht Prison resulted in 1,200 inmates being moved to Qezel-Hesar’s Unit 3. This transformation of Qezel-Hesar, initially designated for drug offenders, has brought together detainees with varied charges, including political prisoners.
One family member of a political prisoner remarked, “These inmates are treated as mere numbers. Behind every statistic lies a life, a family, and a story. This negligence disregards the immense suffering it causes to inmates and their loved ones.”
