Investigative Report | The Islamic Republic is Constructing 70 New Prisons

According to research from the Open Data Iran database, the Islamic Republic's prison organization is constructing 70 new prisons and detention centers in Iran, which are expected to be operational by the year 1405 (2026). The report indicates that at least 12 entries titled 'Construction of Detention Centers' appear in the budget law for the year 1402, with over 1128 billion tomans allocated for them. The report notes that the large Fashafouyeh prison in southern Tehran has 'become operational,' while the physical progress of central prisons in Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Ahvaz, and detention centers in Kashan, Damghan, Semnan, Salmas, and Behbahan is described as 'unknown.' Regarding two other general entries titled 'Construction of 59 Detention Centers' and 'Construction of 100 Temporary Detention Centers' seen in the budget forecast list, no precise information about the related details is available. The report cites information from one of the 'few' performance reports of institutions under the judiciary, stating that there are 173 'closed prisons,' six 'open prisons,' 32 'detention centers,' 25 'camps,' and 29 'rehabilitation centers' in Iran, all managed by the prison organization. The Open Data Iran database, referencing the Criminal Procedure Law and the Executive Regulations of the Prison Organization, states that prisons are divided into closed, semi-open, and open types or vocational training and employment centers. According to the definitions provided in this report, a 'closed prison' is defined as one that is surrounded by watchtowers and has two layers of internal and external fences, equipped with complete security and protective conditions. A 'semi-open prison' is a confined space located between the internal and external fences of a closed prison, where inmates are employed at specified times under the supervision of armed guards and are returned to group or individual dormitories after work. An 'open prison' or 'vocational training and employment center' is another type of prison where convicts, based on court rulings or with the approval of the classification council, serve their sentences while learning a profession or working in industrial, service, and agricultural sectors. A 'detention center' is a place for the temporary detention of suspects under criminal security measures, introduced there by judicial order and managed or supervised by the prison organization. Types of detention centers include general, security, police, or military detention centers. Individuals under 18 years old are also held in 'rehabilitation centers.' The status of prisons in Iran has been under scrutiny from international human rights organizations in recent years and has faced criticism. For instance, the results of recent investigations by the Persian section of Voice of America regarding the conditions of ordinary and political prisoners indicate that while the majority of them are deprived of many of their legal rights, prisoners related to major financial cases enjoy welfare facilities and long-term daily leaves. Additionally, see: Exclusive | Discrimination between 'insiders and outsiders' in Evin; government-affiliated prisoners have 'special facilities.' Amir Velayati, who suffered eye injuries after being released from prison: 'Freedom is beautiful, but just being free is not enough.' ADAP: Several civil activists and supporters of the Tractor Sazi team from Tabriz have been arrested. Sharifeh Mohammadi, a detained labor activist, has been accused of supporting a political party. Dana Lanjabadi, a civil activist in Marivan, has been temporarily released on a bail of 500 million tomans. The National Teachers' Organization of Iran: Two teachers' union activists from Gilan have been granted leave connected to their release. Extension of 'temporary detention' for Mohammad Hossein Sepahri and 'opposition to leave' for Fatemeh Sepahri. The Revolutionary Court of Sari has tried three Baha'i citizens. Exclusive | Discrimination between 'insiders and outsiders' in Evin; government-affiliated prisoners have 'special facilities.' Deprivation of Hamzeh Savari and Reza Salmanzadeh, political prisoners held in Qezel Hesar, from adequate medical services.