Inside ‘degrading’ women’s prison where Bella could be held
If Bella May Culley is handed a lengthy prison sentence, she can expect to be housed in Tbilisi’s infamous Women’s Prison Number 5 – a Soviet-era detention facility known for its ‘degrading’ treatment of inmates.
Prisoners are crammed into single bunk beds with multiple women to a single cell, and the building is said to be in a state of considerably decay.
One inspection procedure even sees inmates forced to squat in front of guards, something can be particularly distressing when they are menstruating
In 2018, a report from Penal Reform International Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer said of the facility: “The prison comprises a series of cell blocks and training facilities as well as an administrative building, all within tarmacked grounds where women hang up washing or use the public telephones.
“Each cell block has its own training room, where women can participate in courses such as traditional Georgian felt making, beauty therapy and hairdressing.
“There is also a sewing enterprise run by Women in Business, where around 50 women are employed under a contract with the Ministry of Corrections to make mattresses for men’s prisons.
“The women can earn a wage, which they can either send to their families outside or spend on themselves in prison.”