Publications

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Appendix 7: Prisons and Detention Centres in Tibet

Tibet Autonomous Region Prison (Drapchi Prison) is the largest prison in the "TAR". Prisoners from the "TAR" area with a long prison term are incarcerated in this prison. It is believed to have been constructed in 1960, and is located in the north-east outskirts of Lhasa. It is directly administered by the "TAR" Law Enforcement Department. There are nine units, of which 3rd and 5th units hold female and male political prisoners respectively. An eleven cells for solitary confinement were later constructed in 1990. The rest of the units are for non-political prisoners. Due to overcrowding, the southern gate of Drapchi Prison was reportedly demolished and expansion work commenced at the prison in April 1998. Prisoners are mainly assigned to work at the vegetable farm, constructing houses, tailoring, carpet weaving, mechanical work, and the rearing of pigs and chickens.

"TAR" PSB Detention Centre (Sangyip Prison) is situated in the northern district of Lhasa City. It is believed to have been constructed in 1983 and prisoners have been held there since 1984. Those suspected of more serious political crimes, including organising protests or collecting politically sensitive information, are believed to be held here for interrogation, possibly under the supervision of the "TAR" PSB. Sangyip has the capacity to hold approximately 70 inmates in its three cell blocks. Each of the blocks have 12 cells. Any prisoners falling under the "TAR" jurisdiction is detained here. Prisoners with long term sentences are transferred to other major prisons in "TAR" and others sentenced to shorter prison terms are detained in Sangyip itself.

Lhasa City PSB Detention Centre (Gutsa Prison) is located three kilometres east of Lhasa near the Kyichu River. Gutsa's main section holds prisoners who are "under investigation" or awaiting sentences. Most of its inmates have not been formally charged or given administrative sentences. Many prisoners are reportedly forced to do manual labour such as breaking rocks. While Gutsa is predominantly for prisoners who are awaiting sentence, approximately one percent of prisoners are believed to be held here after sentencing, generally for periods of up to one year.

"TAR" "re-education through labour centre" (Trisam Prison) is under the jurisdiction of "TAR" Law Enforcement Department. Since this centre is situated ten kilometres west of Lhasa near the Toelung County Bridge it is also referred to as Trisam Prison. Trisam was opened in or around February 1992 and has since received many of the political prisoners from Sangyip, Outridu and Gutsa.Trisam has three units: the first for male political prisoners, the second for male criminals and the third for women prisoners, both political and criminal. It acts as an “administrative detention centre” for juveniles and prisoners whose term does not exceed three years. Inmates are known to perform hard labour at Trisam. At least eight cells at Trisam are reportedly used for solitary confinement.

Powo Tramo is formerly referred to as the "TAR" # 2 Prison. It is situated near the town of Tramo in Pome County, Nyingtri Prefecture (Ch: linzhi), 500 kilometres east of Lhasa. It is run by the "TAR" authorities and is for prisoners who have been sentenced to ten years or more, from Nyingtri and Chamdo prefecture. It is one of the largest prisons in the "TAR" with facilities for solitary confinement. Most prisoners here are subjected to hard labour such as felling trees and agriculture.

Lhasa Prison (formerly known as Outridu) may be the institution that Chinese authorities described to the EU Troika as Lhasa Municipal Prison during their visit in 1998. Confinement cells used to punish prisoners measure six by three feet and do not have windows. Chinese authorities are reportedly expanding the capacity of Lhasa Prison by building several new blocks of cells. There are currently four cell blocks and approximately 500 criminal prisoners are reportedly held there. It acts as a part of "TAR" Law Enforcement Department. Lhasa Prison holds detainees who have been formally sentenced to less than five years. Most of them are subjected to hard labour such as breaking rocks and working on vegetable farm.

Tibetan Military Detention Centre is administered by the PLA and has existed since 1959. Around 1992- 93, it moved to about 11 km east of Lhasa in Tsalgungthang area. Some political prisoners are known to have been held here in 1989, but due to the expansion programs undertaken in other prisons, it is not known whether any more have subsequently been brought here. It now holds military prisoners.

Prefectural Detention Centres (PCD) are in the administrative seat of each prefecture. There are six regions in the "TAR" besides Lhasa Municipality; Shigatse, Nagchu, Ngari, Lhoka , Kongpo-Nyingtri and Chamdo. These have "administrative detention" centres and kanshuo suo (detention centres for prisoners who have not yet been sentenced). In addition, there are prisons at the county level which are generally for prisoners who have not yet been sentenced. The Chinese authorities reported to the visiting EU Delegation in May 1998 that each region and a number of counties have a local detention centre.

Zethang "Reform through labour facility" is a new facility (laojiao) which began functioning on 15 January 1998 with the first arrivals being six Drayab monks. This "reform through reeducation" complex is in Zethang Village, 10 km east of Chamdo City. It is under the direct administration of the Law Enforcement Department in Chamdo Prefecture. The accused, who are given prison terms by the respective provinces (administrative sentences), are transferred to this new facility. There are 30 rooms in the compound which can each accommodate six prisoners. There are 30 prison staff working there.

Moawan Prison (Ch: Mao), is located in Moa County in Kandze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture", Sichuan Province. This prison accommodates prisoners under Kanzde "TAP"s jurisdiction, and is one of the largest prisons in the area. Those who are sentenced long-term are incarcerated here including political prisoners. There are detention centres and prisons in every county and prefecture in Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan Province.