GEÇ OSMANLI DÖNEMİNDE İNEBOLU HAPİSHANESİ VE SUÇ DAĞILIMI
THE INEBOLU PRISON AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF CRIMES IN THE LATE OTTOMAN PERIOD

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the physical, administrative, and functional structure of provincial prisons during the final period of the Ottoman Empire, using İnebolu Prison as a case study. The primary objective of the research is to determine the extent to which the prison reforms implemented following the Tanzimat were applied in the provinces and to highlight the structural and administrative challenges faced by İnebolu Prison during this process. The study first examines the historical development of the prison institution and the transformation of the Ottoman penal system; it then evaluates the establishment process, physical structure, repair and reconstruction efforts, staffing, and institutional operations of the İnebolu Prison. Archival documents reveal that the prison operated for many years in rented and inadequate buildings, and that due to financial constraints, most of the planned construction and repair projects were often not carried out. In addition, the distribution of crime types was examined by analyzing the numbers of convicted prisoners and detainees by year; it was found that misdemeanor offenses predominated among convicted prisoners, while homicide offenses were more concentrated among those in detention. Furthermore, by evaluating findings related to escape incidents, health and hygiene conditions, capacity issues, and the work and food provisions for inmates, important data regarding the daily operations of provincial prisons was revealed. In conclusion, the study shows that the Ottoman Empire’s reform efforts to extend its modern prison system to the provinces—as exemplified by the case of İnebolu—failed to achieve the desired level largely due to financial constraints, wartime conditions, and administrative shortcomings.

• Details
• Contents