On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Pedrica Saint-Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights at the head of the Ministry's delegation, visited women and minor girls incarcerated at the Rehabilitation Center for Men in Conflict with the Law (CERMICOL) in Delmas 33.

Improving the living conditions of prisoners is one of the priorities of the Ministry's roadmap. In this sense, the Minister intends to organize a set of activities to support the 162 prisoners (150 women and 12 girls), crammed into cells at CERMICOL, whose numbers far exceed the reception capacity.

During her visit, Minister Saint-Jean, addressing the prisoners, said, "I came to see your conditions in the cells. What I see breaks my heart as a woman, as a mother. It is not normal for girls and women to be incarcerated in these inappropriate conditions. I see elderly women who are sick, some with disabilities, others who are sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for minor offences and others who have been there for more than 10 years without ever having appeared before a judge. This is unacceptable ! As Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, I promise you that I will work together with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that each case is treated fairly and equitably."

Given this observation, the Minister plans to make a plea to the Ministry of Justice to look into the cases of elderly women who are sick, those who are disabled in cells and those who suffer the fate of prolonged pretrial detention.

"I am aware that the conditions in which you are living are not good, they are contrary to standards. This is why I am committed to doing everything possible to support you in this difficult impasse. I understand your situation and I am deeply saddened by it."

At the end of this visit, hygiene kits were distributed to the inmates to help them combat the poor health conditions in their cells.

IH/ iciHaiti