Liepaja prisoners declare hunger strike over restricted outdoor time

Several prisoners at the new Liepaja prison have declared a hunger strike over what they say are excessively limited opportunities to go outdoors, LSM reported. The Prison Administration said the number of people taking part was not large and that some had already resumed eating meals provided by the prison.

Several prisoners told Latvian Television by phone that they had not eaten since last Friday. They said 10 prisoners had submitted written requests, while others were also taking part in the hunger strike.

“At the moment, if I am not mistaken, there are about 40 of us, perhaps fewer, on two floors,” prisoner Domeniks Cibulis said. “Most of them are going to continue and see this situation through.”

“Since last Friday. I have not eaten since last Friday,” prisoner Jānis Leitis said.

Another prisoner, Niks Apsītis, said he would not eat until the issue of outdoor time was resolved. He said he shared a cell with Leitis, that there was no fresh air in the cell and that the ventilation was not working.

The three men had previously been held at Jelgava Prison, which is now closed. Although they described that prison as old and said its sanitary conditions were very poor, they said it had been easier and more comfortable in terms of access to outdoor areas.

The prisoners’ main complaint at Liepaja prison is the limited time available for outdoor exercise. The men who contacted Latvian Television said they had reached the highest level, meaning they were entitled to the greatest number of opportunities and faced fewer restrictions than other prisoners.

At Jelgava Prison, they said, they could move freely between their cells and the yard from early morning until late evening. At Liepaja prison, they cannot go to the outdoor exercise area freely. Until last Friday, they said, they had to request access and were then escorted there.