Cour européenne des droits de l’Homme
20 janvier 2011
Facts
The applicant, Mr. Payet, was serving a prison sentence. He escaped a first time and as a result was placed in isolation and subject to many transfers between prisons. When he escaped prison a second time he was placed in solitary confinement for 45 days. According to the applicant, the premises of the disciplinary ward were very degraded and unsuitable for the detention of a human being. He explained that his cell was only 4,15 m², was very dirty and in bad shape, there was no window, poor ventilation, and the electric light was not sufficient to be able to read or write. He added that he was deprived of access to television, to radio, to his personal belongings, and to any activities and visits.
Complaints
The applicant complained about his conditions of detention and argued that there was a violation of Article 3 of the Convention.
Court’s ruling
The Court considered that the conditions of the applicant’s detention in the disciplinary cell were such as to cause him mental and physical suffering and a feeling of profound violation of his human dignity. These conditions therefore amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of Article 3 of the Convention.