Report takes issue with treatment of long-term incarcerated
An anti-torture commission has criticised the fact that most “indefinitely incarcerated” people in Switzerland – i.e. those who have served their prison sentence but are not yet fit for full release – continue to be held in jail rather than in special facilities.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/SRF/dos
According to the Swiss National Commission for the Prevention of Torture (NCPT), holding such people in regular prisons amounts to an infringement of their human rights.
They should enjoy extra facilities like furniture, television, and personal video game consoles, and they should have access to a shared lounge and kitchen, the NCPT said on Thursday. If possible, they should be kept in completely separate institutions or at least in separate areas of regular prisons, the commission said. Trips outside and regular contact with the outer world are also recommended.
More
More
Life inside: testing a new Swiss prison
This content was published on
What are Swiss prisons really like on the inside? SWI swissinfo.ch tests the new Zurich West prison.
The body also said that age and personality-specific needs should be taken into account, given the high average age of those in indefinite incarceration (over 57 years old) and the high proportion of people with mental health problems.
The concept of “indefinite incarceration” (article 64External link of the Swiss Criminal Code) is not the same as that of a custodial sentence, the commission specified. It applies to people who have already served time behind bars, but who are then deemed unfit – for public security reasons – to be released fully. There is no punitive aspect involved.
In 2019, some 100 such men were interned in 17 of the 26 Swiss cantons; 82 of them were kept in a prison, seven in a specialised facility, and 11 in a psychiatric facility. Almost 70% of them were Swiss.
More
More
Why most of Switzerland’s prisoners are not Swiss
This content was published on
Almost three-quarters of all detainees in Swiss prisons are of foreign origin, a study shows. An analysis of the factors behind the numbers.
At least four deaths in Swiss Alps over Pentecost weekend
This content was published on
Three of the fatalities over the long weekend were the result of avalanches, while one ski tourer fell to his death, authorities have reported.
Pro-Palestine uni protests to be debated in Swiss parliament
This content was published on
The Swiss People’s Party says it will launch two postulates calling for clarifications about the recent student protests and occupations.
This content was published on
A 36-year-old man from Ticino lost his life on Saturday in Val Malvaglia, in the north of canton Ticino, during a wingsuit jump from a plane.
Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church numbers dropping in French-speaking Switzerland
This content was published on
As in German-speaking Switzerland, the number of members of the Reformed Church in French-speaking Switzerland is also declining.
Gotthard traffic queue hits 20km during holiday weekend
This content was published on
The traffic jam at the Gotthard north portal reached a length of 20 kilometres on the motorway between canton Nidwalden and canton Uri.
Swiss Interior Minister visits Cannes Film Festival
This content was published on
Swiss Interior Minister left the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday after three days of intensive dialogue, meetings and film screenings.
Swiss theatre director breaks with tradition at Vienna’s Rathausplatz
This content was published on
With the proclamation of the "Free Republic of Vienna", the start of the festival on Friday evening was unusually political.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
One in ten Swiss offenders held in non-prison facilities
This content was published on
9.1% of those convicted were placed in a private facility, such as a psychiatric clinic, residential home or special care facility.
Detainees in Swiss prisons at lowest level in a decade
This content was published on
Statisticians say the fall in numbers could be linked to Covid-19 restrictions, but that longer term trends still need to confirm this.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.