Red Cross investigates prison conditions

Health and human rights groups are concerned about prison conditions in Swaziland, where alleged torture, lack of basic hygiene and unsafe sexual practices are spreading HIV among inmates. "We want an end to beatings with metal chains when we are naked. The chains get bloody, and this spreads AIDS when the next prisoner is beaten," Boyce Gama, an inmates' spokesperson at Matsapha Maximum Security Prison for Men, told a Swaziland Red Cross fact-finding meeting at the weekend. The media and correctional services officials were invited to what the Red Cross described as an "interaction" with prisoners. Discussions were frank, and prison authorities promised to investigate prisoner concerns. A list of demands was presented to Correctional Services Commissioner Mnguni Simelane during the meeting. Simelane said he was unaware of the beating of inmates, which he described as a violation of prison procedure. Prisoners also demanded antiretroviral drugs for HIV-positive prisoners, and the release of inmates dying of AIDS-related illnesses. "Many times we have to tend to sick prisoners ourselves. There is bleeding, and we need (prophylactic) gloves to protect us from AIDS," said Gama. An unknown number of prisoners have AIDS, but local health groups report a rampant spread of HIV in prisons. Inmates told the Red Cross that prison warders do not take prisoners seriously when they report they are ill, and neglected prisoners die before they are transferred to hospital. In a reflection of the substandard prison conditions, inmates said they also wanted shoes, soap, and regular cell inspections by health workers. Swaziland's prisons drew the attention of health groups after press reports of inmate rapes, and the revelation by former prisoners that they contracted AIDS while incarcerated. Women prisoners are also reportedly forced into sex by male guards. In an interview with IRIN, a prison warder at the Matsapha men's facility, who did not wish to give his name, said: "There is too much sodomy - I wrote to my superiors about it. In my letter, I said, 'You know, you get a three month sentence in Swaziland and it is a death sentence, because of HIV.' The higher-ups didn't like it. They said, 'No, don't go there. We will get a bad reputation.'" Last year, when a former inmate published his prison memoirs in a local newspaper, correctional services authorities presented to the press a dozen inmates to refute the charges of sodomy and abuse. The media generally ridiculed the prisoners' denials. This year, prison authorities admitted the prevalence of inmate sex, both consensual and forced, but acknowledged a dilemma over condom distribution, which is advocated by health groups. "If we give out condoms, we are condoning sexual behaviour that not only has no place in our facilities, but is against the law," press relations officer Noma Dlamini said. The Swaziland AIDS Support Organisation has advocated proper counselling for HIV-positive former prisoners, before they can infect others when reintegrated into society. Prison reformers also want teenage and adult inmates separated at national correctional institutions. At its interaction with prisoners this week, Khanya Mabuza, director of the Swaziland Red Cross, told inmates: "You need to change your behaviour. Statistics show 40 percent of the country's population is infected with HIV."