Donated Satellite Imagery Reveals Details of “Hell on Earth” Prison

ARVADA, Colo. - June 25, 2015 - PRLog -- Uzbekistan’s Jaslyk prison is notorious among human rights groups around the world. Allegations of horrific torture and abuse within the prison are widespread. Unfortunately for those concerned, concrete information on the prison is hard to obtain due to the remote, secretive nature of the site.

Those secrets might be exposed soon, however, thanks to an eye in the sky.

From roughly 470 miles up, an orbiting satellite recently photographed the Jaslyk prison and surrounding areas. Amnesty International – the organization leading the Jaslyk investigation – is now analyzing these photos, which are among the most accurate satellite photos of the prison ever taken.

The photos can potentially provide a wealth of information including the size of the prison and any recent expansions. They can also help confirm stories of abuse, including locations within the compound where torture is said to have taken place.

Satellite Imagery Providing a New View

Amnesty International is not alone. More and more humanitarian organizations are turning to satellite imagery, which can often provide images of places where humans are unable to reach.

SpaceUnited, a Colorado-based nonprofit, obtained the images for Amnesty International as part of their commitment to improve lives through space exploration.

“Not enough organizations are able to tap into the power of satellites,” said Troy Dunn, president of SpaceUnited. “What we’re attempting to do is educate these groups on the different ways satellite images can help their charity. When we find an organization with a need, we work with our generous partners at DigitalGlobe and AllSource Analysis to provide satellite imagery and analysis.”

Images donated by DigitalGlobe are also helping Humane Society International fight rabies outbreaks in India.

India has a population of over 1.25 billion people and 30 million stray dogs -- with both groups often living in close proximity to one another. This volatile combination has led to an outbreak of dog bites and over 20,000 rabies infections in people. The northern state of Haryana, with a population of 25 million people, is particularly hard-hit.

Satellite imagery of dwellings in Haryana are now helping HSI estimate the population and delineate between villages, leading to the identification of areas with the highest instances of rabies outbreaks. Control and education efforts can now be directed towards the specific neighborhoods which are most at risk.

A Different Type of Humanitarian Organization

Formed on July 4, 2012, SpaceUnited is a non-profit humanitarian space agency. Their two most recent donations of satellite imagery are valued at over $110,000. Some of their other missions include sustainable housing, 3D-printed satellites for schoolchildren and other science and education programs.

“I just can’t thank all of our volunteers and supporters enough,” said Dunn. “Our Indiegogo campaign was a huge success. There’s really a lot of interest in space exploration and in doing good in the world. While we can’t all be astronauts, we can all use space technology to help improve life here on Earth.”