The National Penitentiary Authority (APN) has informed the United Nations and partner NGOs of its needs in terms of infection prevention and control, as well as the management of suspect cases in the country's 19 prisons.

Support from the United Nations Office for Project Support Services in Haiti (UNOPS), the UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners are expected in the coming days. In accordance with national commitments and global advocacy for the release of eligible detainees to reduce the number of detainees and mitigate the transmission of Covid-19, 12 children have been released from detention to date. Advocacy actions with the national authorities to increase the number of released children are underway.

To date, 322 detainees have already been released from Haitian prisons, including 21 women and 12 minors. Most of these detainees were in prolonged pretrial detention while others were convicted for minor crimes, nearing the end of their sentence, or had co-morbidities linked to the COVID-19. Prisoners’ releases are likely to accelerate following an instruction sent by the MJPS to the Directorate of Penitentiary Administration (DAP) with clear eligibility criteria.

In addition, remember that the national number 188 managed by the Brigade for the Protection of Minors (BPM) of the PNH continues to operate. The helpline is particularly important in this period of social distancing to ensure that children and their families can benefit from distance assistance and referrals.

Learn more about the situation of minors in prison :

According to UNICEF, in Haiti, more than 11,000 people are detained in the 20 prisons listed: 8,300 men, 2,800 women and 220 minors. 85% of boys and 92% of girls are in prolonged pretrial detention https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25863-haiti-justice-urgency-to-act-at-the-rehabilitation-center-for-minors-in-conflict-with-the-law.html

In line with national commitments and global advocacy for the release of eligible detainees to unclog prisons and mitigate the spread of Covid-19, 5 children have been released, but advocacy to free other children continues. The number 188 managed by the BPM of the PNH continues to function, so that children and their families can benefit from remote assistance during this period of social distancing.

UNICEF supports the Haitian government to prevent the detention of children in conflict with the law and expedite the trial of those in preventive detention while advocating for the protection of children.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25863-haiti-justice-urgency-to-act-at-the-rehabilitation-center-for-minors-in-conflict-with-the-law.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25213-icihaiti-justice-project-to-take-care-of-200-minor-children-in-pre-trial-detention.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18649-haiti-justice-liberation-of-2-minors-illegally-detained-for-over-2-years.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-17795-icihaiti-justice-36-minors-released-from-cermicol.html

HL/ HaitiLibre