Cell 3 An attempt to escape from this cell was made by the inmates a month ago before they were transferred to Souba. It was, however, nibbed in the bud by a warder who discovered a hole being made in the wall. The rest of the cells Some of the cells had the ventilation holes sealed because there was too much wind, I was informed. But the blockage was also consistent with forestalling escapes. Some of the cells were cleaner than others. Removal of the cobwebs would have improved the environmental situation of some of the cells. Mats and mattresses were supplied unevenly to the cells. A punishment cell had no occupant, but it emitted an unpleasant smell of urine. The doors of the cells, the Registrar stated, were kept open between 07 to 18 hours. Inmates could, therefore, stay in the yard all day. Lights were put out at 22 hours. Discussion with prisoners The all-day open door policy was largely confirmed by the inmates (08 - 17 hours). Ill-treatment had not been experienced at the hands of the warders. Soap had not been supplied for a long time. Isolation in the punishment cell could last between 3 to 7 days. Denial of food while in isolation cell was common. They complained bitterly about their sauce. Their food was also monotonous- beans was eaten very seldom, and rice only on feast days. There were limited facilities for toilet in the yard; and in the night, they had to resort to buckets in the cells. Lack of medicine in the prison was a problem. The nurse hardly turned up; and when he did, he did not care about prisoners. It was conceded, however, that serious cases were referred to the hospital. The perennial problem of long remand was mentioned. One inmate claimed that he had been on remand for 2 years 7 months. Workshop Two makeshift workshops were in operation immediately outside the prisonsewing and leather. Three prisoners were working in the leather unit. While a tailor had been engaged for the other unit, sewing machines were yet to be received for it to function properly. Income from the workshops, according to the Registrar, was enjoyed by the inmates who work there. Souba Prison rr his prison is at the outskirts of Koulikoro. A massive wall surrounds the premises. Two sets of prisoners are housed here, recidivists and violent offenders, who were both sent from Bamako. The violent ones have been subdued sufficiently although they still use foul language. The inmates included those who conspired to riot. At the time of the visit, there were 75 prisoners. The supply to the prison of a little energy from solar panels was made possible through French Co-operation assistance. The cells do not have light. Corn and groundnuts have been produced through the labour of the inmates. Blocks were being made by the inmates for the construction of living quarters for the warders. Part of the building has been reserved for civil servants and females. In a state of fright, a guard armed himself with a gun, to accompany us to the maximum security wing of the prison. Two firmly secured doors separated the cells from the precincts of the prison. The first gate was made of strong iron bars which allowed in a lot of air, but such air was blocked by a second iron gate without any ventilation. The original idea was to leave the second gate open so that fresh air would get into the cells. But since the second door was closed, the whole purpose of the construction of the first gate, which had been done shortly before my visit, was defeated. According to the Registrar, the inmates were allowed to use the open air toilets in the morning. The two cells which I visited were fairly crowded. T Cell 1 The inmates arrived from Bamako about a month ago. It was only on the previous day that the second door was left open. They had no soap. Neither did they have medicine. Medicine was bought for them by the warders out of the latters' own money. Many of them were afflicted by malaria. They did not have regular bath. Occasionally, about once a week, a warder would let them out to have a bath. There was no light in the cell and some complained that they could not see any longer. And neither was there a blanket. Such mattresses as were in the cell were given to them by the military when they worked for them. They were given food once a day, usually at about 4 p.m. and this was insufficient. For the first time, they had been served with lunch on the day of