According to the Identoba’s Survey There Is Hierarchy in Georgian Prisons

Nino Devidze

Survey conducted by the nongovernmental organization Identoba in Georgian penitentiary establishments proved that segregation of inmates according to their sexual identity or behavior is still strong. According to the survey, there are three hierarchies of social groups in the penitentiary establishments.

28 respondents said cells or barracks in the penitentiary establishments, where MSM persons (men having sexual contact with men), or people convicted for sexual crimes, or those who had conflict with another prisoner or prison personnel, are called hen-house.

According to the survey, higher level of the hierarchy is occupied by group of prisoners, who are called “Mujiks” (men). A prisoner, who had informed administration about any illegal activities of the prisoners that contradicts the prison regulations, might be placed in the group. Also, prisoner, who deserved mistrust of other inmates during his imprisonment term because of some behavior, will be placed in the same cell.

According to the Identoba’s survey, “Cute Guys” are on the top of the hierarchy. All other prisoners, who are not “hens” or “men”, go into the group.

Prisoners are placed in the “hen” cell or barracks based on the prison administration’s decision. “There are some criteria, according to which prisoners are placed in different cells. Prisoners, who already served terms in “hen houses”, are sent to the “hen house”. Besides them, people, whose sexual orientation is obvious, are also sent to the “hen house”. There are cases when prisoner personally requests placement in the “hen house,” lawyer of the Identoba Nino Bolkvadze said.

Deputy Head of the International Relations Unit of the Penitentiary Department Kakha Khandolishvili said prisoners are automatically placed in the cells in prisons and administrations do not use any segregations at all. “This principle worked before and after Soviet Union. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to resolve this problem in big prisons. Administration acts in accordance to the requirements of the prisoner and everything is done for their security.”

There are some regulations for the inmates of the so called “hen houses” of the penitentiary establishments. Nino Bolkvadze said every respondent speaks about those unwritten regulations. “Hens and good guys cannot live in one cell, have dinner or drink together, have common dishes, sit together, shake hands with each other, etc. Majority of the regulations aims to demonstrate that inmates of the “hen house” are different from others.”

Lawyer of Identoba said the fact that inmates of so called “hen house” do the dirtiest and hardest work in the prisons also demonstrates discrimination in the penitentiary establishments. “Respondents said their work was not related with hard work in workshops or mills; they have to clean facilities and do daily work. However, inmates of the so called “hen house” have to do the dirtiest job.”

Nino Bolkvadze said there were cases when prisoners had special bracelets on based on the requirements of the administration. “In some facilities, prisoners had bracelets that differentiate him from other prisoners. According to our information, other prisoners (so called Mujiks) have similar badges on the leg and they work in fatigue units. This practice is clearly discriminative, lacks all logics and degrades personal dignity. Besides that, it promotes stigmatization of prisoners.”

Kakha Khandloshvili did not confirm information about bracelets. “I think it is exaggerated information. Everybody knows each other in the closed facilities and there is no necessity to wear bracelets there. As for their work, about 600 prisoners work and it is their wish. The state pays them salary for that and if somebody does not want to work, it is different case.”

According to the Identoba’s survey, the prisoners also have different approach to segregation. “Majority of respondents believes placement in the “hen house” is huge injustice and tragedy. Some of them think person deserves to be placed in isolation because of different sexual orientation,” Nino Bolkvadze said.

Prisoners spoke about the situation in facilities after the new government came in office. “Respondents could compare old and new regimes. All of them declared that situation has changed and they are not physically abused. However, in the past, “cute guys” could not so openly declare their homophobic approach to them like they do now. Now, inmates of the “hen house” are afraid of other prisoners and not prison personnel.”

Nongovernmental organization prepared recommendations to the Ministry of Penitentiary. “Government of Georgia shall elaborate and adopt working plan against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Ministry of Penitentiary shall eradicate all discriminative practices that exist in the prisons and that breach fundamental rights of MSM and other prisoners, promotes stigmatization.”

Kakha Khandolishvili said the Ministry is about to establish public monitoring council, where local nongovernmental and international organizations will be actively involved and all recommendations will be implemented, which will promote development of the penitentiary system. “Re-socialization of prisoners has been the Ministry’s priority since 2013. In near future, we plan to divide prisons in four categories and everybody will have opportunity to be promoted with their good behavior and move to better facility. Our purpose is to rehabilitate the convicts.”