Inmates who sued state over cramped cells lose case

A group of inmates who argued they suffered psychological harm from being held in cells with less than 2 square meters of space per person has lost a damages lawsuit against the state.

Judge Kim Yang-ho of Incheon District Court's Civil Division 28 dismissed a 39.5 million won ($25,600) damages claim filed by 24 correctional facility inmates against the South Korean government. The plaintiffs, identified only as A and others, were also ordered to bear the legal costs.

The plaintiffs said in their complaint that they had endured psychological distress because they were denied even the minimum space required for basic daily living while held in correctional facilities.

The court found that the evidence submitted, including the results of fact-finding inquiries directed at prison wardens, was insufficient to support the plaintiffs' claims.

"Even taking into account all evidence, including the results of fact-finding inquiries directed at each prison warden, the evidence falls short of establishing that the overcrowding exceeded the threshold of what inmates can reasonably be expected to endure," Judge Kim said in explaining the dismissal.

However, the court said that even when the state must restrict certain fundamental rights in detaining inmates, it may not violate their dignity as human beings. On the specific legal standard for a violation, the court added that "where the floor area per inmate is less than 2 square meters as shown on facility plans, the overcrowding exceeds the tolerable limit and is therefore unlawful."