As a prelude to the 63rd International Prisoners Day (31 October), the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) published an overwhelming and detailed report on the Haitian prison system, concerning the general conditions of detention and the legal situation of detainees.

From this analysis, it appears that at least 37% of penitentiaries are old and unsuitable with unhealthy cells. Prisons receive 3 times more than their capacity https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23478-haiti-flash-haiti-world-champion-of-prison-overcrowding.html . The majority of them do not have beds or insufficient mattresses, carrying prisoners, including those from prison centers in remote areas, to sleep on the floor, on pieces of cardboard, carpets or sheets provided by members of their family. From January to October 2018, at least 118 deaths were recorded in the country's prisons https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20013-haiti-flash-nightmare-at-the-national-penitentiary.html .

The conditions of detention in 3 police stations transformed into prison since 2004 were also analyzed. They present conditions similar to prisons and are characterized by cell overcrowding, insalubrity and all kinds of deprivation of which the prisoners are victims.

In terms of food, the food supply distributed by the Directorate of Penitentiary Administration (DAP) has decreased, forcing prison officials to offer prisoners only one meal a day.

On the legal side 75.05% of prisoners are in prolonged pretrial detention https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25602-haiti-justice-74-of-detainees-in-haiti-have-never-been-tried.html and wait for the judicial authorities to pronounce on their case. The gender analysis shows that of the 375 women and girls in prison, only 62 (16.53%) were tried and sentenced. Of the 8,507 men and boys in prison, only 2,891 (33.98%) were tried and sentenced.

Download the full report for all the details (In Frannch) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/8-Rap-Prisons-102018.pdf

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25602-haiti-justice-74-of-detainees-in-haiti-have-never-been-tried.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23478-haiti-flash-haiti-world-champion-of-prison-overcrowding.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20013-haiti-flash-nightmare-at-the-national-penitentiary.html

HL/ HaitiLibre