Health Week Campaign in Sulaymaniyah Correctional Facilities
2025-11-06
Health Week Campaign in Sulaymaniyah Correctional Facilities
Participants: Civil Society Organizations in cooperation with the General Directorate of Reform, Kurdistan Region
Date: 21–28 October 2025
1. General Background of the Health Week
The Health Week was organized in the Adult Correctional Facility in Sulaymaniyah with the aim of promoting health awareness and public hygiene within the prison environment, improving the living and health conditions of inmates, and creating a humane space for interaction and cooperation between governmental institutions and civil society organizations.
A number of organizations working in the health and humanitarian sectors took part in this week, among them the Human Network for Health and Humanitarian Work (Human Network), which carried out two distinct activities reflecting its mission to promote public health, prevent risks, and improve the inmates’ living environment.
Activity 1: Cleaning and Rehabilitation of Halls
Objective:
To improve the living environment inside the prison halls and provide a clean and safe atmosphere for inmates through comprehensive cleaning and rehabilitation of basic facilities.
Implementation Details:
The activity was carried out in several main halls of the correctional facility with the participation of a field team from the Human Network and volunteers from other organizations.
The work included cleaning floors, walls, and windows, and removing dirt and moisture.
The halls were supplied with cleaning materials, disinfectants, and essential hygiene items such as soap and sanitizers.
Impact and Results:
Noticeable improvement in the cleanliness of halls and sanitary facilities.
Strengthened spirit of cooperation and belonging among volunteers and participants.
The activity helped promote the concept of environmental health within the correctional facility and raised awareness about hygiene as an essential part of disease prevention.
Activity 2: Awareness Session on Drugs, Their Harms, and Prevention
Objective:
To raise inmates’ awareness about the dangers of drugs and their physical, psychological, and social impacts, while promoting prevention and behavioral rehabilitation.
Key Topics:
The Human Network team conducted an interactive awareness session attended by a large number of inmates.
The session covered the following themes:
- The most common types of drugs prevalent in the local community.
- The health and psychological effects of drug use on the brain and nervous system.
- The link between addiction, crime, and domestic and social violence.
- Methods of prevention, treatment, and social reintegration.
- Emphasizing that drug users are patients, not criminals.
The Network used simple, interactive methods appropriate to the correctional environment, such as open dialogue, direct questions, and references to real-life cases.
Results and Impact:
The participants showed great interest and engagement with the topic.
The session helped correct misconceptions about addiction and highlighted the importance of psychological and social support after release.
The activity concluded with recommendations to continue awareness and rehabilitation programs inside the correctional facility, in coordination with the facility’s administration.
Conclusion:
Through these two activities, the Human Network for Health and Humanitarian Work demonstrated its active role in promoting public health and preventive awareness within correctional facilities, linking the health aspect with humanitarian and educational dimensions.
The collaboration between the Network and the Directorate of Reform presented a successful model of partnership between the civil and governmental sectors, serving vulnerable groups who require special support and comprehensive rehabilitation.
