Russian prison official will consider banning use of rubber clubs against female inmates

Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service Anatoly Rudy has promised to review a proposal to ban the use of rubber clubs against female inmates.

“In women’s prisons, we’ll likely look into making it so that our personnel aren’t carrying PR-73s (rubber clubs) at all. Women are weaker, spiritually delicate creatures. They’re not like men; we’re rougher,” Rudy explained.

Asked about introducing a similar ban on the use of rubber clubs in men’s prisons, Rudy said he’d have to think more about that.

Rudy delivered these comments at a meeting with the Presidential Council on Human Rights, where officials discussed draft legislation that would expand the circumstances under which prison guards are permitted to use force against inmates. Rudy argued that the law complies with international standards and is designed to minimize harm to prisoners.

“Improper enforcement doesn’t mean [rubber clubs] should be categorically abolished,” Rudy added.

Interfax

• The legislation in question, Bill Number 802242-6, was introduced to the Duma on May 26. It authorizes prison guards to use 13 different physical responses to inmates who threaten them or disobey prison rules: special clubs, special gases, handcuffs and other restraints, electroshock devices, photoshock devices, guard dogs, special devices that emit light and sound, restraints for transportation, immobilizing devices, water cannons, armored vehicles, blocking traffic, and tools for breaking through barriers.
• On May 29, human rights activists picketed the Duma building to protest the legislation. One of the activists, Lev Ponomarev, argued that the law would permit guards to use extreme violence for almost any reason at all.
• Human Rights Commissioner Ella Pamfilova has also criticized the legislation, saying it “could lead to great tyranny.”