Books

Book #1: Persepolis

Research question: What are the effects of torture on political prisoners?

In the research of the effects of torture on political prisoners I found the article “Psychological effects of torture: a comparison of torured with non-tortured political activists in Turkey”. The article was written about a study that was to investigate the long term effects of torture in a group of former political prisoners. They chose 110 Turkish political prisoners half of which were tortured while being held captive and the other half were not. They attempted to measure the difference in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder between both groups. In the results they found that the survivors of the torture showed many more symptoms PTSD and anxiety/depression than the non-tortured former prisoners (Basoglu).  The most obvious conclusion that I can draw from this article is that, even if incarcerated for the same reasons and coming from the same background, political prisoners that are tortured while detained suffer from many many more long term effects like PTSD and anxiety then those political prisoners that are detained and not tortured.

Basoglu, Metin. et al.  “Psychological effects of torture: a comparison of tortured with nontortured political activists in Turkey”. Institute of Psychiatry, London, England.. 2-24-2010 <http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/151/1/76>.

The next article I found relating to the effects of torture on political prisoners is titled “Psychological Effects Of Torture”  by Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge. It starts with a very serious claim that “torture is one of the most serious abuses of human rights.” It goes on to explain that torture is a reprogramming of the victim to succumb to views different from the ones they already hold. It also says that “It does not limit to the victim. The victims’ family members and friends are also affected. Based on new research psychological and physical torture have similar mental effects” (Jayatunge). From there it goes onto give several examples and case studies like the torture victim of Hammond Hill prison. In my conclusion I must undoubtedly agree with this article and draw the conclusion that torture has very severe effects not only on political prisoners but their familys and also their torturers. Such effects include, but are most deffinetly limited to Depression, Adjustment Disorder, PTSD , and DESNOS (Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified) (Jayatunge).

Jayatunge, Ruwan M. “Psychological effects of Torture”. Sri Lanka Guardian. 2-24-2010 <http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/02/psychological-effects-of-torture.html>.

The third and final article that I found pertaining to my research question was titled “Experiences of Torture and Ill-Treatment and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Palestinian Political Prisoners.” The article takes a look at the relationship the nature and severity and experiences of torture and post traumatic stress disorder among 550 non help seeking ex-political prisoners. Results showed that “the more a prisoner had been exposed to physical, chemical and electric torture , psychological ill-treatment, and sensory deprivation or bombardment, the more he subsequently suffered from intrusive reexperiencing, withdrawal and numbness, and hyperarousal.” The article explains that some torturers are just as the character Siamak says in the book persepolis “Real scientists.They knew each part of the body.  They knew just where to hit.” (Satrapi). This is true. The article also goes on to say that sometimes torturers have medical training. My final conclusion is that torture amongst tortured political prisoners results in long term negative psychological effects.(El Sarraj).

El Sarraj, Eyad. et al. “Experiences of Torture and Ill-Treatment and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Palestinian Political Prisoners.”. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2-24-2010 <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=14&hid=2&sid=0c685c81-738f-41cf-841b-44b29d785202%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=9611050257#db=a9h&AN=9611050257>.

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. London: Randomhouse, 2003.