Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback National Human Rights Commission of Korea - Complaint Summaries

Suo moto investigation into living conditions of the disabled in detention centers [2008] KRNHRC 28 (15 July 2008)

On July 15, 2008, after receiving complaints concerning the poor living
conditions and the overcrowdedness in the detention centers, the Commission decided to
conduct a suo moto investigation of the living conditions in detention centers for the
disabled. From July 15, 2008 to December 8, 2008, the Commission investigated the living
conditions and amenities for the disabled in detention centers.

It discovered that the disabled inmates were suffering from overcrowding as the inmate
density was up to 185 percent in detention centers. It also found that disabled inmates
were exposed to coldness due to outdated facilities and had no access to amenities for
the disabled including hallway rails and braille blocks. Therefore, the Commission
recommended that the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Strategy and Finance
allocate financial resources to improve the poor conditions for the disabled in
detention facilities.