Soap Once every 10 days inmates are supplied with soap. Food Twice a day, at noon and in the evening food is served. The food is prepared by people from outside the prison. Visit of the Premises As in the case of Cell 1, poor health was their main worry. They were taken to the medical centre nearby but never to the hospital. Whatever their ailment, the medical centre gives them two medicines: paracetamol and nivaquine. No doctor has ever come to see them. Soap: the last time they were supplied with soap was in November 1998. They emptied and cleaned the toilets with their bare hands. Adult Wing Female Wing There were 3 women in a cell. One of them stated that she had been in custody for 18 years without trial. She was alleged to have poisoned 14 people. The Director could not confirm her allegation because her file could not be traced. Each of the women had a mat. They were permitted to receive visitors although the alleged murderer has never had a visitor. They confirmed being given food twice a day. They also had a shower and a storeroom to keep their belongings. Juveniles Wina As there were no juveniles in prison, male adults occupied the 2 cells in this part of the prison. Cell 1 It had 15 prisoners, 5 of whom had no mats. For a month they have not had any soap. They did not have any problem with the guards. Their main concern was their health: they were afflicted with many illnesses such as malaria, tuberculosis, small pox and scabies. The cell was also lice infested. No doctor had come to see them, and because there were so few guards they were not taken to hospital when they were sick. They would be appreciative of more time outside their cell. Cell 2 Although of the same size as Cell 1, this cell had 31 prisoners. Needless to say, it was very overcrowded. Most of them did not have mats. Only a small window provided ventilation. The cell was locked from 6.30 p.m. to 7 a.m. The ceiling leaked. For 7 years one of the inmates has been waiting to be tried for attempt to steal. 32 Cell 1 67 prisoners were crowded tightly in this cell. With only one window, fresh air and ventilation were poor. Two of the prisoners have been on remand for 10 and 8 years respectively. The SR was informed that a gendarme killed a prisoner on 2 February 1997. The death occurred after he had, as spokesperson for a group of new prisoners, complained about insufficient food. He protested at being beaten when they were asking for food, whereupon he was shot by the guard. Other complaints of the inmates were as follows: Their requests for meeting with magistrates were not granted by the Director. He confiscated letters for such meetings. Some were held even after they had finished serving their sentences. The prison was no longer disinfected. Kerosene needed by prisoners to cook food brought to them was sold by the guards and their families at twice the market price. Old People Cell Two old prisoners inhabited one cell. A younger inmate who had had surgery had joined the two until he recovered. The last complained that he threw up all that he ate, and needed a different diet. One of the two was the husband of the old woman who was being held on suspicion of having poisoned 14 people. Having been imprisoned at the same time as his wife, he had been on remand for 17 years. The other inmate has been on remand for 9 years for attempt to steal. TB Patients A cell was reserved for prisoners with tuberculosis. 33