FRIDAY 27 AUGUST Civil Prison, Parakou Data on the Prison Director: M. Gounou-Yerima Tamou. He had been in this position for 3 years 4 months. Total number of prisoners: 287 Original capacity: 150 Male: 284 Female: 3 Convicts: 143 Remand: 144 (24 not charged; 120 awaiting trial) Two prisoners have been on remand for 17 years. Inspection by the Judicial Service resulted in the release of a number of prisoners. Prior to that there were occasions when the prison housed as many as 350 prisoners. Health Prisoners are treated at the Medical Centre in Parakou. Serious cases are, however, referred to the hospital. The Prison Service pays for the treatment of prisoners. Tuberculosis patients were isolated in a cell, and not in the hospital because the latter was being renovated. However, a doctor from the hospital visited them everyday. Communication Inmates may receive visitors between 3-5 p.m. and may also write as many letters as they are able to do. Discipline 19 guards used to be in charge of the prison. But 7 guards now man the prison and maintain discipline. They are assisted in their task by a body consisting of the head, deputy and "a wise man" for each cell, chosen by his celimates. The same system obtains at the court (a bigger segment of the prison than a cell) level. There are no disciplinary cells in the prison. 30 31