A Large Number of Prisoners Transferred out of Gohardasht

HRANA News Agency – Following the closure of women’s cellblock in Karaj’s Gohardasht Prison, a large number of female prisoners have been transferred to various other locations including another prison in Karaj.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), after the closure of women’s cellblock in Karaj’s Rajai Shahr Prison (also known as Gohardasht Prison) which housed hundreds of ordinary women prisoners and a number of female political prisoners, all detainees have been relocated to other locations.

Reports indicate that the majority of inmates have been transferred to Karaj Prison which is considerably smaller. However, regardless of the reason behind this relocation, it remains unclear whether female political prisoners have also been transferred to this prison.

It should be noted that in recent months, Iran’s state prison structure and programs have been changed by the State Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization. These changes have been forthcoming due to two reasons: First, the newly formed province of Alburz now holds the majority of prisoners from Tehran province. Naturally, new management has become responsible for the system. Second, in pursuit of reaching their organizational goals and objectives, new programs have been initiated by officials responsible for the security and protection of the prisons.