Can you be punished during detention on remand and how?
Punishment for the violation of the internal rules
You may be punished if you violate the internal rules of the prison for detention on remand or you physically or otherwise insult other detainees or the people working in the prison. The types of punishment and the application procedure are explained in the Act on Execution of Detention.
The following disciplinary sentences may be imposed for disciplinary offenses during detention on remand:
- a reprimand (in Slovak pokarhanie)
- a ban on a maximum of 2 purchases of foodstuffs, personal items and other items (purchase of personal hygiene needs and basic correspondence needs cannot be banned)
- a ban on using one's own television or radio for up to 2 months
- a forfeiture of item (in Slovak prepadnutie veci)
- an all-day placement in a disciplinary cell for up to 10 days
- a solitary confinement for up to 10 days
Solitary confinement
The most severe of punishment is placement in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement, even for a short time, can leave very negative effects on a person, especially psychologically. Therefore, human rights standards discourage the use of solitary confinement as a punishment. It may be used only after careful consideration, only for a very short time and where no other punishment options are suitable.
In Slovakia, pregnant women or juveniles must not be placed in solitary confinement. You can only be put in solitary confinement after a doctor has given permission. Moreover, your health must be examined by doctor every 3 days in solitary confinement.
In case a detained person is punished by a solitary confinement while being in confinement, it can last without interruption for a maximum of 15 days (14 days for a woman). After that period a solitary confinement must be interrupted for 5 days (10 days for a women).
What human rights violation may there be?
If you have been placed in solitary confinement without valid reasons, for a prolonged period of time, or if there were inadequate living conditions in the solitary confinement cell, this may result in inhumane or degrading treatment and thus violate your human rights. Read more about how to evaluate whether your rights have been violated.