Human Rights Commission Recommends Overhaul of Prison Labor Injury Compensation

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has issued a significant recommendation aimed at reforming the compensation system for inmates injured or killed while engaged in prison labor. The commission's findings point to a critical need for greater objectivity and fairness in how these cases are handled, urging the Ministry of Justice to implement substantial procedural changes.

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The compensation and condolence payment decision process for those injured or killed during prison work lacks objectivity and fairness.

Specifically, the NHRCK recommends the inclusion of external experts specializing in industrial accidents to participate in the decision-making process for compensation. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of providing inmates with opportunities to present their views and ensuring clear guidelines are in place for pursuing state compensation claims. This call for reform stems from an investigation that revealed current practices are heavily reliant on internal prison staff, potentially leading to biased outcomes.

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The meeting is composed entirely of internal prison staff, and factors such as 'diligence' and 'contribution' are considered along with 'degree of negligence' when determining the reduction in compensation, indicating a lack of clear standards and potential for subjective judgment.

Hankyoreh reports on this crucial human rights issue, highlighting the NHRCK's concern that the current system, where compensation is determined by committees composed solely of prison officials, lacks transparency and fairness. The commission noted that factors like 'diligence' and 'contribution' are considered alongside 'negligence' when deciding compensation amounts, introducing subjective elements into the process. By advocating for external participation and inmate input, the NHRCK seeks to establish a more equitable system that upholds the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals, ensuring that those injured or bereaved through prison labor receive just and appropriate recompense.

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There are concerns about the objectivity and fairness of the compensation decision process, as external experts and the victims, the inmates, are not given opportunities to participate or state their opinions.