Prisoner achieves compensation for conditions in Volgograd colony

The Volgograd Regional Court has upheld the decision to pay compensation to prisoner, Evgeny Ulanov, who had complained about violation of custody conditions in the colony.

Ulanov was sentenced in 2017 to 10 years in a penal colony within a case of causing grievous bodily harm resulting in the victim's death.

"There were cockroaches, spiders and mice in the cell; there was no illumination there (no lamps); there was no hot water, cold water was supplied almost only at night; the toilet was broken," the claimant's facts were listed.

Besides, Ulanov complained that he was not given any beddings, hygiene products and "dietary food due to his illness." "Besides, he was not given books and magazines, and was not given the right to telephone conversations," his complaint had stated.

Colony officials explained in court that the colony entered into a contract for disinfection of cells; so there are no insects and rodents in them. Officials from the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service (known as FSIN) have explained the conditions in cells by the repairs due to flooding. As a result, the court awarded Ulanov 15,000 roubles instead of the initially claimed 100,000.