UNICEF Working to improve conditions for juvenile prisoners in Cameroon
Living life behind bars. Pascal is just one of 85 juvenile inmates doing time in Douala’s Newbell prison. Here they live
on top of each other. They sleep, eat and wash in an area meant for only 30 prisoners. An open sewer runs through
their cellblock, the roof leaks, and all the mattresses are lice ridden. In Yaounde’s Central prison some boys are
forced to sleep on the floor. 17 year old Bernard has been here for over three years, it took 2 of those years for his case to get to court, and now
with 9 months to go until the end of his sentence, he feels he’s lost out on life.
Apart from the inhumane conditions, minors are also vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse by older inmates. HIV
and Aids are rampant.
But UNICEF in partnership with Cameroon’s ministry of Social Affairs is working to improve conditions for minors in
the country’s prisons. Televisions, educational materials, books, beds and blankets have been provided while
UNICEF trains judicial, police and prison officers on the correct treatment of children in conflict with the law.
But the ultimate aim is to get Cameroon’s children out of prison and in to rehabilitation centers. Preparation is under
way for one such center in Douala.
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Category: Human Services
Living life behind bars. Pascal is just one of 85 juvenile inmates doing time in Douala’s Newbell prison. Here they live
on top of each other. They sleep, eat and wash in an area meant for only 30 prisoners. An open sewer runs...
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