Iran opened up one of it’s infamously brutal prisons to reporters and, not surprisingly, the place was spotless and inmates raved about their treatment:
At a cellblock inside Iran’s most feared prison, women weave carpets and watch World Cup soccer while their children scamper around at their feet. Inmates take seminars on reading, writing and tailoring suits, and on how to avoid AIDS.
…More than 30 reporters and cameramen roamed the prison’s passageways and freely interviewed inmates. Authorities showed off part of the facility that houses female inmates but barred journalists from viewing men’s cellblocks or political prisoners, citing lack of time and promising greater access in the future.
At the prison’s hospital, female inmates _ mostly young women jailed for illegal sexual relationships _ were attending classes on HIV infection and how to avoid the deadly virus.
The only male prisoners reporters saw Tuesday were in the prison’s kitchen, where they were preparing food for fellow inmates.
“This is like work outside jail _ I have no feeling that I’m a prisoner,” said Ebrahim Hasani, jailed for refusing to pay alimony to his wife.
“We enjoy good facilities here _ I have no objection,” said Shokat Darabi, a female inmate incarcerated for carrying heroin.
Many female inmates said they were happy with general conditions in the prison, but complained about Iran’s judicial process.
