Marie Françoise Suzan, the Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, conducted a guided tour of the premises of the former women's prison in Pétion-ville this week, with a view to its rehabilitation for better detention conditions for girls and women.

Accompanied by Marlon Romage, Director of the Prison Administration, Minister Suzan inspected each room of the dilapidated building.

It is a large facility with two courtyards (interior and exterior) with a large capacity.

This site visit is part of the follow-up to the meeting held between the Ministry and the Directorate of the Prison Administration on September 19. The next steps consist, firstly, in rehabilitating this prison and making it functional as soon as possible. Secondly, the inmates of the Delmas 33 prison will be relocated to Pétion-ville, while waiting for the Cabaret prison to become functional.

In addition, respect for the dignity of women and girls in prison, their food and hygiene conditions, being some of the main concerns of the Minister, she wishes to do everything possible so that prisoners fully enjoy their rights while serving their sentences.

The rehabilitation of this prison is a crucial step in the fight against prison overcrowding and the improvement of the living conditions of prisoners.

IH/ iciHaiti