In July 2023, the former head of the Bozhkovskaya correctional colony, who had been involved in numerous investigations into the torture of prisoners, unexpectedly resigned from his post. Instead of being dismissed following an investigation, he resigned voluntarily. This move caused a wide public outcry, given the serious allegations against the head of the colony.
Upon dismissal, he received a bonus and other payments of UAH 400,000.
This was announced by the Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets on his official social networks.
He reported that he had initiated an inspection of official documents on the colony's activities at the Department for the Execution of Criminal Sentences of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. At the same time, the department had launched an official investigation into the cases of torture.
The Ombudsman's Office found that in July 2023, the head of the Bozhkivska Correctional Colony was dismissed of his own free will, without waiting for the final conclusions of the investigation. He was paid bonuses in the amount of 400% of his salary "for special achievements in work" and other money totaling almost UAH 400,000.
In addition, the former head was awarded the maximum pension in December 2023. Lubinets called on SBI investigators to find out why
the former head of the colony, where prisoners were tortured, was "unreasonably and illegally" awarded bonuses.
As is known, the State Bureau of Investigation has uncovered numerous cases of torture of prisoners in a number of regions of Ukraine. Suspicions of torture have been announced against four officials of the State Institution "Bozhkivska Correctional Colony (No. 16)".
