Psychosocial perspective and suggestions on the penal execution system in the pandemic: the case of turkey

Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2023 Summer;34(2):140-142. doi: 10.5080/u26946.ABSTRACTDear Editor, The COVID-19 pandemic, which rapidly surrounds our world and has important effects on all aspects of life (especially psychological, social and economic), also affects individuals living in closed prisons (imprisoned, convicted individuals and institution employees), which are physically and socially isolated in different ways. So much so that the World Health Organization (WHO) states that prisons are among the risky groups due to their limited opportunities (difficulty of accessing the diagnostic tests, physical distance as an inherent requirement of the very nature of the service itself, inability to comply with the call to stay at home, etc.) (WHO 2021). With the onset of COVID-19 cases in Turkey, as in many countries, the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses (GDPDH) under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkey also applied various restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus in prisons. Such liberties as the ability to act autonomously, demonstrating skills and competencies and establishing relationships with others, which Deci and Ryan (2000) define as motivating needs, were/are still significantly restricted by COVID measures. This letter aims to draw the attention of mental health professionals and relevant administrators to the penal system (from the perspective of both service recipients and employees as well as the community) by discussing the COVI...
Source: Physical Therapy - Category: Physiotherapy Authors: Source Type: research