There is a possibility of the certain inmates to be exposed to the risk of violence and abuse by fellow inmates because of a few things, such as their age, health condition, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In order to reduce these risks and or to get rid of the exposure of these detainees to violence, it is a must for the authorities to take protective measures that can cause their physical separation. One of the things that they can do is to move them to different cells, units, or even to the other institutions.
The authorities have to move these special or unusual offenders from the other inmates unsystematically and without discriminations. Their main focus should be to protect certain people. While doing do, they should avoid arbitrary and or discriminatory action against these inmates.
Sometimes, the inmates are located in units for fragile and vulnerable persons. Keep in mind that they also deserve the access to the same care, services and benefits offered to the other inmates. Not only that, the material conditions of detention should also be at least as good as in the rest of the place. The authorities should try their best to make sure that this kind of separation does not contribute to stigmatization of the inmates concerned. Besides, this kind of separation should not also cause the solitary confinement of detainees in situations of vulnerability.
Women
It is a must for the women to be separated from men in order to protect them from every form of verbal or physical abuse, including sexual abuse. If it is possible, all the women should be placed in separate institutions. In case it is unlikely for them to be placed in different institutions, they should be located in a separate place in the institutions open to them and men. In some cases, the authorities may allow the couples to participate in organized activities together. The kinds of activities that are perfect for them should be the ones that are designed to improve the quality of life of the people concerned. Aside from that, these activities should also ensure the protection of the participants, especially that of the women. In addition, they should be adequately supervised.
Minors
Minors should also be separated from adults to prevent the potential abuse from happening, including sexual abuse and harmful influences that may affect their growth. There may be exceptions and the exceptions to this rule can only be justified based on the best interest of the child. The authorities should also ensure that the separation is as open as possible. The main focus should be on the rehabilitation of the child. It is actually possible for the minors to participate with adults in special treatment programs that are proven to give advantages to them as long as the programs are under control and the adults that are involved have been carefully chosen. Just like the children, the teenagers should also be separated from the adults.
LGBTI persons
Similar to the minors, LGBTI persons have the high risk of being discriminated against and get verbal, psychological and physical abuse from the other inmates. In certain cases, it would be better for these LGBTI persons to be separated from the others. However, it should not be intrusive or stigmatizing. Apart from that, they should also be asked if they agree with the separation. If one does not want to reveal their sexual orientation, the authorities should not force them to come out and should respect their privacy. One of the most important things is that the separation should be something that is temporary. It means it should not be permanent. The relevance of it should be evaluated regularly and it should not cause prolonged isolation. In addition, the LGBTI persons who are separated from the other inmates should get the same unrestricted access to the activities, services, and benefits that are available in the situation and that the other inmates get.
Those with physical or mental disabilities
Just like any other inmates included in the list, persons with physical or mental disabilities should not be systematically separated from the other inmates. Some of them may need specific care or special protection measures that may need temporary separation from the other inmates. If segregating is needed, it should be agreed by the inmate. If the inmate refuses it, just forget it. If those with disabilities have to be separated from the others, they should get the access to activities, services and benefits that are available in the institution.
Migrants
Every migrant whose freedoms are derived for contravening migration laws should not be placed in the institutions that hold accused or convicted individuals. If possible, these migrants should be separated from the other inmates upon their admission. Not only that, they should also get the advantage from a regime that is as open as possible.
Foreigners and detainees from ethnic and religious minorities or indigenous individuals
Every foreigner and inmate from ethnic and religious minorities or indigenous individuals deserves the same things as the other inmates. It means they should not be separated based solely on ethnic, racial, religious or other aspects. However, it is possible that some of them are the victims of discrimination or violence, including racism. For the sake of their safety, they should be separated from the inmates behind the violence. The authorities should separate them whether at their request and or with their consent. Once again, it is worth noting that the separation should not be systematic. In some cases, the authorities have no other choice but to segregate the inmates according to their origin to minimize the tension and the risk of conflict and or violence against the groups that are considered minorities. However, the authorities should not segregate them permanently and there should be no discrimination. Apart from that, these kinds of measures should also be reviewed periodically and should never be regarded as an effective long-term measure.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
