lay their hands on including uncooked food and this irritates the guards. As in the case of the first cell, we were applauded at the end of the visit The Registrar, Mr. Sibiry Toumagnon thought that the work of the staff of the prison could be facilitated if they had electricity and a means of transport. The inmates walked to Court in turns, six at a time. NEW PRISONS olle Centre, Koulikoro, Souba and Kayes Prisons were the new Prisons which I visited. B Bolle Centre (Specialised Detention Centre for education and rehabilitation of Juveniles and Women). he massive wall surrounding the Centre belies the relative freedom, comfort and humane conditions found within the Centre. Two men guarded the gate. As has become the procedure, I was briefed by the Director of the Centre, Madame Diarra Assetou Koite before visiting the various sections of the Centre. At the time of our meeting, she had been the Director of the Centre for six months. A social worker, she had two months training in Paris. The Centre is made up of the following staff and sections: 10 male warders in charge of juveniles; - 2 psychologists including the Director of the juvenile's section; - 30 female warders with responsibility for the female section. The warders, who were appointed a month ago, were being trained. In the interim, 8 more had been appointed who were working at the Centre. They have not received any training, but are being supervised by the Specialised education unit, which comprises 2 members, but it is envisaged that the number will be increased to 4; - Social service unit - Medical Care unit - A psychologist had been requested for to visit periodically; - Educational unit (school) with 2 people who conduct classes and workshop. Until a week before my visit, when 26 women were brought to the Centre, it was for juveniles, 15 of whom were there. The change was in pursuit of a Ministry of Justice's policy of making prisons humane. The protection of T 24 Until a week before my visit, when 26 women were brought to the Centre, it was for juveniles, 15 of whom were there. The change was in pursuit of a Ministry of Justice's policy of making prisons humane. The protection of women and juveniles is a matter of national priority. That the Centre does not have a vehicle is a big problem. When someone has to be taken to the hospital, it has to be done in the private vehicle of a member of staff. The internship which should be done by juveniles has not taken place as a result of lack of transportation. Equally, social workers have not been able to go out to conduct background search of juveniles for placement. But the assistance of the Ministry of Justice was warmly acknowledged. It provided the furniture, fridge, air conditioners and all the other equipment in the Director's Office at the Centre. The Centre itself was constructed by the Agency for Social Development, which is under the Office of the Prime Minister at the cost of CFA 200 million. Dispensary The dispensary consisted of an isolation room, a drug store, an examination room and an in-patient room with one inmate. Supply management is computerised. As in the case of all sections of the Centre, the dispensary was clean and tidy. Workshop The workshop started operation 3 days prior to the visit. It had 6 sewing machines with inmates engaged in embroidery. The Living Section Two warders, with a room at the entrance, come on duty for twenty-four hours, and are relieved by another set of two warders who work for the same period. A room reserved for a library is yet to function as such since there were no books. Keeping the male warders out of this section has been quite a task for the Director, but she is determined to succeed. The bedrooms are spacious with iron beds, mattresses, bed sheets and towels. Asked whether they had any problems, the inmates replied in the negative, adding that they were not ill-treated by the warders. They were also well fed. The longest remand inmate had been in custody for two years. 4 were convicted while 22 were on remand. They acknowledged that occasionally the male warders would pay a visit, but they did not enter their rooms. The male guards came with the female guards to call the roll. 25