You may only be punished using penalties which are provided for under the law. The law must clearly state the particular sanction which can be imposed for a specific violation.
According to Latvian law, there are several types of disciplinary penalties such as a warning, prohibiting you from receiving your next visit or making your next telephone call, or a prohibition on the use of your personal radio or TV etc. The most severe penalty is placement in solitary confinement. Read more about solitary confinement.
Prohibited sanctions
Certain restrictions and measures must never be used as a punishment. These include:
- corporal punishment
- physical restraints
- food deprivation
- overly long solitary confinement
- placement in a cell with inadequate living conditions
What human rights violation may there be?
Prohibition against inhumane or degrading treatment
The improper application of a disciplinary penalty such as solitary confinement may lead to a violation of your right not to be treated in an inhumane or degrading way or even torture. Read more about solitary confinement.
Private and family life
The unlawful application of disciplinary measures such as a ban on correspondence and visits may also violate your right to a private and family life.
example If you are prohibited from seeing your child for several months or from writing to your husband or wife, it will most likely violate your right to a family life.
How to complain
If you believe that the head of the prison has applied an unlawful disciplinary measure, you should complain to the Head of the Latvian Prison Administration. For more information, read the section on Disciplinary procedure.