Following a visit to Jérémie Prison in February, the Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti (AVRP) made a concerning observation. The conditions of detention are marked by serious deficiencies in sanitation, food, and social services, and a large and vulnerable prison population.

The prison currently holds approximately 470 inmates, including 435 adults, 18 women, and 17 boys under the age of 18. The presence of minors in a prison housing adults raises serious concerns regarding the protection and respect for children's rights.

With only 25 police officers assigned to security, the staff-to-inmate ratio remains insufficient, increasing the risk of internal tensions and violence. Cases of assaults between inmates have also been reported.

Limited access to drinking water and hygiene :

The prison has an artesian well, but an energy problem prevents a regular water supply. Drinking water is therefore not consistently accessible. Inmates wash themselves in the prison yard, in conditions that do not meet minimum hygiene standards.

In addition, waste management is inadequate. Meals, prepared over charcoal, generate residue that is often left within the prison grounds, contributing to an unsanitary environment.

Insufficient food :

Inmates receive only one meal per day. This single ration raises concerns about the nutritional intake necessary to maintain the physical health of those deprived of their liberty.

Alarming health situation :

The prison has 11 medical staff members but suffers from a critical shortage of essential medications. Prison authorities have drawn up an urgent list including, among other things: Paracetamol 500 mg, Amoxicillin 500 mg, Ciprofloxacin 500 mg, Metronidazole 500 mg, Omeprazole 20 mg, Amlodipine 10 mg, Salbutamol, Cotrimoxazole, Loperamide, iron tablets, antifungal cream, and dermatological lotions. Without these basic supplies, managing common illnesses becomes extremely difficult. Deaths have reportedly been recorded over the past three years, although no detailed official statistics are available.

Precarious accommodation and lack of social support : Mattresses are insufficient or damaged, sheets are torn, and inmates' uniforms are in poor condition. No social worker is assigned to the facility, limiting any prospect of psychosocial support or reintegration.

A registry office does, however, handle the administrative registration of detainees, demonstrating a minimum level of institutional organization.

Urgent measures are needed : improved access to drinking water, provision of medication, increased security, separation of minors and adults, and implementation of reintegration programs.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46619-haiti-justice-damning-report-on-detention-conditions-at-fort-liberte.html

HL/ HaitiLibre