HCHR- The Association for the Protection of Prisoners is a charitable and non-profit organization established in 1941 with the aim of helping prisoners and their families, rehabilitating inmates, and cooperating with prisons and care centers after their release. The Association has been formed voluntarily in all the provinces of the Country. A part of the Association’s income comes through donations made by people, institutions, and organizations, and a portion is provided through economic activities. According to the statute, the primary goals and duties of the Association for the Protection of Prisoners are as follows:
Helping the families of inmates, rebuilding the character of, rehabilitating, and guiding the prisoners;
Providing vocational training assistance to prisoners;
Helping prisoners find employment after release by providing job opportunities or financial aid;
Providing assistance in improving the health and treatment situation, and encouraging cultural, sports, professional, and educational activities in prisons;
Using the services of doctors, assistants, engineers, teachers, and experts to improve the condition of prisoners;
Enlisting the help of individuals, legal and real institutions, and the Government; and
Cooperating with scientific and research institutions that work and do research in the field of prisons and delinquency and related issues, and using the results and suggestions of these institutions.
It is noted that the board members of the associations of the support of prisoners are selected from among the local trustees, prison officials, prosecutors, governors, and district governors so that they can identify and activate the areas of support from the governmental and non-governmental sectors. The activities of such associations are in addition to the official activities of the State Prisons Organization and the Cooperative Foundation for Prisoners. Basically, such activities are emblematic of the humane-Islamic approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which – in addition to paying attention to the education, vocational training, and employment of the prisoners – pays special attention to the needs of their families and renders various supports thereto.
Number of Associations for Protection of Prisoners
In total, 230 prisoner support associations operate throughout the Country and provide services to prisoners and their families in need.
Number of Families Covered by Associations
45,000 families of prisoners from 21 March 2021 to 20 March 2022, and 51.244 families of inmates from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022 were covered by the associations for the protection of prisoners and enjoyed various services offered by such institutions.
Measures Taken by Associations to Secure Release of Inmates
In order to secure the release of prisoners, significant measures have been taken by the associations for the protection of prisoners, including: paying free loans to eligible prisoners, helping inmates obtain consent from the plaintiffs, trying to secure the release of prisoners by electronic tags, assisting inmates to find lawyers, and paying attorneys’ fees. Based on this, 1,878 (from 21 March 2021 to 20 March 2022) cases and 1,119 (from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022) of aid were provided to the prisoners around the Country to secure their release.
Cash, Non-Cash Donations of Associations to Prisoners & Families
Paying cash and non-cash contributions, including food baskets, clothes and stationery, and donating non-cash materials, goods and dowry to prisoners and their families are among the measures taken by the Association for the Protection of Prisoners. Chart No. (3) and Table No. (2) show the amount of cash and non-cash aid given to prisoners and their families from 21 March 2021 to 21 December 2022.
In 2021, a total of IRR935.590.917.055 was given to the families of needy prisoners, and the amount of IRR1.105.447.313.989 was given to the indigent inmates. From 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022, a total of IRR 900.400.799.889 was given to the families of needy prisoners, and IRR930.084.886.308 of cash was paid to the impoverished inmates, including pension payments to the families of prisoners, travel and living expenses, educational allowances for the children of prisoners, housing allowances, medical, hospital, cultural and recreational expenses, and marriage allowances. Moreover, in 2021, a total of 352,712, and from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022, 259,721 cases were given to the families of needy clients under cover of non-cash assistance, including food baskets, clothing, stationery, non-cash grants, donations of essential basic goods and dowries.
Conducting Vocational & Employment Courses for Prisoners & Families
In order to empower and prepare prisoners for resocialization and provide preparations for the recruitment of inmates as well as families volunteering to work in the labor market, the associations for the support of prisoners organize various vocational training and employment courses for them. Chart No. (4) shows the amount of vocational training and employment for prisoners and their families in 2021 and from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022. In 2021, 9066 people and 10789 others were trained from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022.
Introducing Prisoners’ Families to Support Institutions
Introducing the families of prisoners in need to support institutions, such as the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and the State Welfare Organization, to benefit from the various services provided by such bodies – including receiving a monthly pension – are among the services offered by the associations for the support of prisoners. Chart No. (5) shows that in 2021, 42,651 families, and from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022, 24,375 needy families were introduced to support institutions.
Following Up on Judicial Case of Prisoners
Other actions of prisoner support associations include following up on the judicial case of prisoners and providing legal and judicial services by social and judicial workers. In this regard, in 20121, more than 43,072 cases, and from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022, 30,403 judicial cases related to prisoners were followed up on by the associations for the support of prisoners.
Meeting with Families of Prisoners
Meeting with the families of the prisoners to handle their requests by managers and social workers affiliated with the associations for the support of prisoners is among the inherent duties of support institutions. In 2021, 4453 meetings were held, and from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022, at least 3995 visits were paid to the families of needy prisoners.
Holding Training Courses for Prisoners & Families
In order to reduce social damage among prisoners and their families, various training courses are held, including teaching essential life skills and preventing addiction and divorce. In 2021, 34,809 people, and from 21 March 2022 to 21 December 2022, 51,180 others participated in the courses held by the support institutions. Table No. (3) shows the number of training courses held for prisoners and their families to reduce social harm in 2021 and 2022.
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