Fig 3: One of the cell’s entrance without a door and the typical dilapidated inside toilet.
iii. Interaction with the outside world and relationship with Prison officials
The inmates complained of minimal interaction with the outside world since only one
phone is available to cater for calls and these calls are made via the office in the
presence of prison officials for security reasons. The inmates advised that they are
permitted to send letters, although they seemed to doubt if they ever reached the
intended recipients. Inmates acknowledged that they were allowed visitors and that the
prison officers allowed them to have peaceful interaction with their relatives but only a
few received visitors as in some instances, these are the people whom they would have
offended and some of the inmates have lost contact with their relatives. Such a practice
is in line with S.59 of the Rules for Protection of Juveniles and UN guiding rule which
states that; “Prisoners shall be allowed under necessary supervision to communicate
with their family and reputable friends at regular intervals, both by correspondence and
by receiving visits4.”
iv. Food and Water
Article 20 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and S.37
of the Rules on Protection of Juveniles emphasise the need for quality and quantity of
4
Article 37 of the UN Standard Minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners
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