The day the journos 'tasted' prison

| Wednesday December 15, 2010 00:00

 

The man could be forgiven for the stern, almost instructive manner he gave it, for after all it is a job he does everyday barking out instructions to prisoners and junior officer.

We were then guided to the prison - a huge imposing building with a high, whitewashed wall and security cameras mounted throughout. 

We were instructed to register our names on a vistors' register once at the main entrance to the building.  There were approximately 10 of us.  In the little room where we appended our names to the register we were also told to leave our phones behind for a reason that was not specified, presumably because anything could happen, such as someone discreetly passing a phone to a prisoner.  Then came the moment.  Thami opened the gigantic metal door.  The ever-ready-to-click-away newspaper photographers and television cameramen, while allowed to go in with their toys, were not allowed to take pictures of the inmates.

'This is not only because it is totally unacceptable but also because the prisoners could get aggressive,' said Thami.  So the scribes plodded their way towards the huge green metal gates, some eagerly, and some hesitatingly.  After all, stories have been told of how sometimes prisoners are able to harm individuals from beyond the burglar bars that cage them inside their cells.   Thami shut the door behind us, bringing home the reality of prison life to many of us.

As another gigantic door was opened we found ourselves in the presence of some of the most dangerous criminals in Botswana. 

Curiously, but understandably, the men appeared happy to see outsiders.   Save for the uniformed men that they see everyday and once in a while a friend or family member, these prisoners were having an encounter with 'people'.  They were informed who we were and some begged for a picture.

That we all knew was not allowed and none were taken.  Nor was getting close to the prisoners allowed.  Some though were not welcoming and went about their business.  An Asian man sat crouched with his face between his arms and remained in that position until we filed out.

The prison cells were, however, the 'main attraction'.  Here the abhorred toilet becomes refuge for a prisoner who would otherwise have to sleep on his feet.  However, the fellow has to share the frequent visit to the toilet with 14 other inmates during the night.  Similarly, a shower's use is only during the day as it becomes somebody' room at night.  This is how crowded our prisons have become.  It is not clear though if the good standard of hygiene was choreographed or simply happened to be the norm.  Often reports have been that the prison is very unhygienic.

'There is also an officer who is responsible for inspecting the cells' cleanliness and the other officer in charge overlooks the whole process,' said Prison's spokesperson, Wamorena Ramolefhe.

While the issue of overcrowding has been addressed several times before, it is has proved difficult to resolve.  Building more maximum prisons may not be as good a solution as having sound rehabilitation programmes, he opined.  As we trudged through those huge gates, it was clear that none of the lens-men and scribes would want to find himself in this dungeon.