Country

Estonia

Detention issue

Solitary confinement

FRA research findings

View details

Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Imprisonment Act (Vangistusseadus)It is possible to commission a prisoner to a punishment cell up to 45 consecutive twenty-four hour periods. Only one disciplinary penalty may be imposed for the commission of one and the same disciplinary offence. It is prohibited to impose collective disciplinary penalties. In the case of a serious violation of discipline, the prison service has the right to place the disciplinary offender in a separate cell prior to the termination of disciplinary proceedings.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2019The Chancellor of Justice (Õiguskantsler) inspected two punishment cells in Viru Prison in 2019: There is no sink in either cell and the location of the water tap does not guarantee basic hygiene. Water poured and sprayed from the tap to the floor of the cell and on the bedding. There is not enough natural light in the cells and there is no storage space for detainees. Please remedy these shortcomings in order to ensure the lawful treatment of people. Report details
2021After an inspection visit to Tartu Prison, the Chancellor of Justice outlined the necessity of regularly monitoring the health of persons in solitary confinement and providing them with meaningful communication: The health care expert involved in the visit determined that there were no specially appointed staff in the prison and no procedure for monitoring the health of persons in solitary confinement. A medical officer of the prison should assess the condition of all people in solitary confinement on a daily basis. Prisons should ensure meaningful communication for detainees in solitary confinement for at least two hours a day. To this end, all staff, and in particular the guards who have the closest contact with detainees, must apply the dynamic security principles in their daily work. Prison management should provide the necessary training and guidance to staff. Report details