Our detention centers and prisons here in Somaliland are all in poor conditions. These centers are devoid of any entertaining programs which may relieve the prisoners from the heavy burden of stress as their freedom is denied to that extent of confinement. And such these entertaining programs that the prisoners lack are the swimming training, computer courses, football matches and cinema performance. So not only, the prisoners will be able to break the daily routine in the prison but also they will create friendship among themselves while making use of these entertaining programs. But unfortunately, none of these programs are available in our jails.

It is however undeniably of necessary convenience that detention centers should play a reformatory role instead of punishing the detainees. But what takes place here in our jails is quite different from that fact. Beyond the human thought, some criminal investigators follow a number of brutal interrogative ways to compel the prisoners complying positively with the investigation. If, on their parts, the prisoners refuse to respond conformingly, they are put in solitary confinement, in a dismal urine -smiled narrow rooms. It is also awful to contemplate that the policemen force the prisoners to be half-naked and tie them to pillars pouring water on their bodies and keeping them out at cold windy night then whipping. These stone-hearted policemen, whose hearts are devoid of any kindness for the prisoners, carry out the whipping. Not only these policemen are eager for infringing on the human dignity but also the glint of the gratification becomes undeniable in their eyes when they torture the detainees. And what is more horrifying to think is the prisoners' adversity when they are whipped by these cruel policemen. The incurable scars and the deep wounds left by the brutal torture are unbearable. The echo of the prisoners' scaring screams can be heard down from the towering mountains in the surrounding areas when they are whipped at nights. And more awfully, some prisoners die due to serious wounds and torture while those savage policemen take great pleasure in inflicting pain on them.

Nevertheless, the ministry of justice knows about the inhuman treatments that exist here in our local jails. And yet they pay no attention to such intolerable violation against the individual rights. And the prisons authorities still keep on dealing with the detainees in the same way by torturing them and impairing their confidence. And what seems quite paradox is that, in spite of their full awareness of the rule which says that the physical punishment should not retain any everlasting wounds nor expose the prisoners' life to death, they are yet adamant on following these inhuman savage ways in disguise of low enforcement.

And in other words our detention centers lack sophisticated group of experts, supervisors and psychiatrists who are capable enough to analyze the prisoners' different conditions in the prison and whether or not they are in perfect situations. Furthermore, they could provide the prisoners several psychological courses which have to do a lot with building their personality and uplifting their self- esteem as well. In addition to that, prisons authorities must cooperate with the ministry of justice when it comes selecting the police officers who will run the detention centers making sure that they are the right skilled ones for their prisoners' treatment bound duties. Let's observe the last annual report of human rights watch which highlighted negatively the credibility of the policemen who are employed in the jails. The report that was internationally and locally confirmed revealed that the policemen and the other security supervisors who were responsible for the detention centers, were pervious members in armed gangs and other illegal organizations .And as a normal outcome, they are too rude and have no the slightest bit idea about the human rights . It is also imperative to mention that much blood has been shed during their leading roles in jails.

The other significant idea that I however find it advisable to be implemented is that, before releasing the prisoners from the jails, prison authorities should give them intensive rehabilitative programs for convenient purposes. That is to say, prisoners when released must already be educated and trained against criminal offence such as limiting their aggressive drive or acting on their animosity towards someone. The released prisoners must also be prepared to adapt the normal daily life they have been absent from. When discharged from jails, prisoners must enjoy their equal social rights and job opportunities must be created for them

Eventually, the absences of all these roles, which protect the prisoners' humanity, make our detention centers and prisons awful places to be jailed in.

The pen of Abdale Nur Abdale

Freelance writer

Independent journalist.

Borama city, Somaliland

E-mail; madavas@hotmail.fr

Tell; 4455263

I am indebted to my friend Ahmed Abib Hayir for his edition and guidance

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives | Search