NewsWhore
11-24-2008, 05:40 PM
A total of 93% of all the jails in the Dominican Republic are sources of pollution. An estimated 60% do not have sufficient beds for the number of inmates, while in others overpopulation has reached 300%, according to the results of a study by the Ministry of Public Health Environmental Health Division. This overpopulation, ranging from 150% to 200% of capacity obliges the inmates to live in an overcrowded environment that poses serious health risks, since a simple cold can turn into an epidemic. The same is true of inmates with tuberculosis, dengue or any other infectious disease. According to the study carried out in 20 of the country's 39 jails, and which was shown to Listin Diario, 93% of prisons contain sources of pollution, such as stagnant water, garbage dumps, open wells or cisterns inside or outside the prison walls, and 60% revealed the presence of insects and vectors. It was determined that the jails are never sprayed, 40% looked dirty, and 53% lacked sufficient space for the inmates to move around. Although it does not establish percentages, the study does point out that the most common sicknesses are lung infections, skin infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, gynecological problems and poor nutrition. The study, updated last August, says that overpopulation is 150% in La Victoria jail, 168% in Salcedo and in La Romana prisons, 172% in Barahona, 185% in San Juan, 200% in Neiba and 220% in Pedernales. The jail at el Seibo is at 230% of the installed capacity, in Bani 295% and in Monte Cristi it is at 202%. Added to this is the lack of beds in 60% of the jails and a lack of space in 53% of the prisons. Most prisons (57%) do nothing to make sure the drinking water is safe, and although 83% have specified areas for garbage, nearly half (47%) have no recipients, and in one third of the prisons garbage is not picked up with the required twice-weekly frequency.
On an interesting and contrasting note, filmmaker Brett Ratner recently visited Najayo and San Francisco de Macoris women's jails and reportedly would consider including the jails in his Prison Break series. He considered filming in the two model jails, according to a note from Major General Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez, director of Prisons. The women are offered opportunities to learn computer skills, learn baking, to farm, and to learn beauty parlor and sewing skills.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)
On an interesting and contrasting note, filmmaker Brett Ratner recently visited Najayo and San Francisco de Macoris women's jails and reportedly would consider including the jails in his Prison Break series. He considered filming in the two model jails, according to a note from Major General Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez, director of Prisons. The women are offered opportunities to learn computer skills, learn baking, to farm, and to learn beauty parlor and sewing skills.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)