have been raised by the continued imprisonment of these women. The other important observation of the government on the report on the first visit was the grant of presidential pardon to the three women. It turned out that a recommendation had been made for presidential pardon, but it was yet to be granted, which was the exact position on the first visit. I got assurances from very high circles that the case of these women would be brought to the right quarters for favourable consideration. Kati Prison ocated a few miles outside Bamako, this was the prison where I had met Lithe leader of the Opposition, Mr. Almany Sylla on my first visit. The Registrar was not aware of our impending visit, and seemed genuinely surprised to see us. Of the four prisoners outside the prison (entrance), three were said to be running errands, and the fourth attending to the culinary needs of the guards, preparing tea, for instance. A small shed had been constructed in the middle of the yard. This was in response to an oral recommendation I had made, on my first visit, to enable the prisoners to have some fresh air at the height of the heat. At the time of the second visit, however, some of the prisoners were resting within the shade of a section of the walls, and none was under the shed, the former providing more shade and comfort than the latter. The veranda in front of the two cells had also been fenced with rail, a fortnight before the visit some inmates informed us, so that the doors of the cells could be left open to provide fresh air. With the doors firmly locked, at the time of the visit, the purpose of the new construction was defeated. But the hope is that it will be utilised fully, as the National Director promised to ensure. In fairness to the Registrar, he stated that the doors of the cells opening onto the veranda with the rail were opened between 10 - 12 noon and 4 - 6 p.m. Meals, consisting of rice, millet, beans or corn were served three times daily. While there was no limit to the number of letters which could be written and received by the inmates, they were censored. Prisoners could receive visitors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 9. Ibid, p. 35. Discipline The prison did not have a punishment cell. A recalcitrant prisoner was deprived of exercise, not allowed into the yards, or what must have been a very recent measure, not allowed into the fenced veranda. Persistent attempts at escape were referred to the Prosecutor. Health The inmates complained of inadequate medical treatment. There was no sick bay. Prison Population There was a total of 49 inmates, 13 of whom were convicts. The longest period that any of them had been on remand was one year. Civil servants, convicts and those on remand were all mixed up in the two cells. Cell 1 After some persuasion, I was allowed to speak to the prisoners in the absence of any official. They confirmed receiving three meals a day, made up usually of millet and corn, and rice on Saturday and Sunday. Soap was a big problem for them. Sometimes they were supplied with soap once a month. There was only one lamp and few blankets. Medication was another headache for the inmates and so were mosquitoes. Some would sell their clothes to buy medicine. One very sick prisoner was not sent to the hospital. Some claimed that permits were related by visitors, and they would also have to pay in cash or kind (some of the presents for the inmates). Those with relatives far away did not get any visitors. They were made to stand on their heads as punishment. The cell was very warm. Twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, the inmates were allowed to go into the yard, a big one, to bath and use the toilet. Between these hours a bucket had been provided in a corner of the cell for nature's call. When we bid them farewell, they all gave us a loud round of applause. Cell 2 This cell was as warm as the other one. Complaints from the inmates were also similar to those in Cell 1: no medicine, lack of medical attention, no soap, no visitors, short period to visit the toilet in the yard (two of them) and poor quality food. Another concern of the inmates was that they were locked up in the cell most of the time, and were allowed onto the veranda only a week prior 22 23