Jan 30, 2001

Istanbul - Reuters

Turkish police detained and deported two human rights activists, from Britain and the United States, after
they made a public protest about Turkey's prison system, consular officials said on Monday.

Stephen Kaczynski of Britain was arrested in Istanbul on Saturday together with an American woman. They
were deported on Sunday, the officials said.

"We understand he was detained because he was making a public protest or statements that under
Turkish law were considered illegal," a British official said, adding that the statements had been about
Turkey's prison system.

A U.S. embassy spokesman confirmed the incident but declined to give the woman's name. "The person
concerned was not charged and left the country yesterday," the spokesman said.

At least 32 people died, 30 of them prisoners, during or after a crackdown on Turkey's unruly prisons last
month.

Security forces raided 20 jails across the country on December 19 in an operation aimed at ending hunger
strikes and regaining control of the overcrowded and chaotic facilities.

The hunger strikers, some of whom are still fasting, were protesting against plans to introduce smaller cells
in jails to replace the old dormitory wings which officials say were controlled by political groups or criminal
gangs.

Authorities say the smaller cells will be easier to control but inmates say living in isolation or in small groups
will make them vulnerable to abuse by warders.

Human rights groups have alleged that prisoners in the new "F-type" prisons have been tortured and kept in
isolation for long periods. Turkey denies the charges.
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