In collaboration with the Directorate of Penitentiary Administration of Haiti (DAP), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has just completed the construction of a cell block for juveniles in the prison of Les Cayes (South) which houses 650 inmates including just over fifteen minors.

After having built a area reserved for women https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11215-haiti-social-new-area-reserved-for-women-in-les-cayes-prison.html in this prison in 2014, it was important for us to do the same for juvenile to provide prison conditions appropriate to the age of these detainees," declared Thomas Ess, ICRC head of delegation in Haiti "The construction of this specific space responds to the need to protect minors by ensuring their separation from the rest of the prison," explained Aurélie Gautier, Coordinator in charge of ICRC protection activities in Haiti.

This work is part of the rehabilitation and development of the civil prison of Les Cayes started in 2011, aimed at improving the living conditions of inmates. The renovated unit can accommodate 18 children on a surface that has been optimized by the installation of bunk beds. The vents and cell ventilation meet the prescribed standards. The multipurpose space, furnished and equipped beside the cell, will allow among othersto continue the education of young people and organizing recreational activities in better conditions.

"It is important to stress that the ICRC was able once again to rely on the expertise available within the DAP, which through its logistics Sub-Branch, fully monitored the work to a successful conclusion," stressed Mathias Stéphane Roche, in charge of "water and habitat" program for the ICRC in Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre