Inmates at a low-security facility in southern Turkey say approximately 40 prisoners have tuberculosis and accuse authorities of failing to provide adequate treatment or take measures to prevent the disease from spreading, the Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reported Friday.
The prisoners said the cases were detected during health screenings at Adana No. 2 Prison, which reportedly houses between 1,300 and 1,500 inmates. Some of those affected were quarantined after a high-security prison refused to accept their transfer.
They said authorities distributed masks but failed to provide adequate medical treatment or regular medical monitoring.
The inmates called for comprehensive health screenings of all inmates, effective treatment for those affected and an investigation into the prison authorities’ response.
The reported number of cases has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the screenings confirmed active tuberculosis. Prison staff told MA that no authorized official was available to comment.
The World Health Organization identifies prisons as high-risk environments for tuberculosis transmission and recommends systematic screening of inmates and staff, testing suspected cases, screening close contacts and treating those diagnosed with the disease.
Turkey’s prison population had reached 437,889 as of November 2, exceeding the country’s official capacity by 133,585 inmates, or about 44 percent, according to Justice Ministry figures. Rights groups have also reported that sick prisoners often struggle to access doctors, hospitals and medication.
The Human Rights Association (İHD) documented at least 24,207 rights violations in Turkish prisons in 2025, including 9,592 health-related violations. Based on complaints and monitoring activities, the group reported delayed hospital visits, unsanitary living conditions and inadequate access to clean water and proper nutrition.
