POINTE BLANCHE–All inmates who are working inside Pointe Blanche prison are continuing their strike for better conditions. The detainees, who are working in the kitchen, cleaning or doing other jobs within the prison’s confines, have been on strike since October 23.

The striking inmates’ legal representative attorney-at-law Sjamira Roseburg said the Inmates Association had a meeting with, among others, interim Minister of Justice Egbert Doran and Member of Parliament (MP) Luc Mercelina on Friday. Roseburg described the meeting as a “fruitful dialogue.” The inmates also gave Doran and Mercelina a tour of the prison during which other inmates were also able to express their grievances.

Twenty grievances of the inmates were discussed during the meeting and Doran promised to give a response by Friday, November 29, at the latest about the possibilities to address the complaints in the short term, Roseburg said.

Both Mercelina and Doran said they were “shocked” about the miserable conditions under which the prisoners live and indicated that this problem is high on their agendas.

“There is hope,” said Roseburg, but until “a few things” are put on paper the “peaceful” strike will continue, the lawyer said.

“To date, the prisoners are not working. This creates an additional burden on prison guards and other personnel. We are waiting,” Roseburg said on behalf of the Inmates Association.

The striking inmates have a long list of grievances pertaining to the situation in prison, which include overcrowded cells, leaking rainwater, unhygienic and unsafe conditions, pests, limited or no recreation, and unclear rules with regard to early release.

The prisoners also demand that the justice system follow the recommendations of the Law Enforcement Council and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CPT pertaining to the alleviation of human-rights violations in prison.

Bron; Daily Herald