The most recent assessment reported 19 inmates died in four prisons in Haiti because of the cholera epidemic affecting the country since now 1 month, reported Garry Desrosiers, assistant spokesman for the Haitian National Police (PNH).

Thirteen of the prisoners died in the National Penitentiary, the Central Prison of the capital where live nearly 2,000 inmates, either 6 more in less than a week. 4 others died in prison in Mirebalais, 1 in the prison of Hinche and 1 in the prison of Saint Marc. Penitentiary at Port au Prince, the number of cases treated was 30, there is less than a week, but the authorities did not want to communicate the new figures.

"The police officers have many difficulties of facing, with the progression of the epidemic, due to crowded conditions in Haitian prisons. At the National Penitentiary, there are at least 30 to 60 inmates per cell. This situation represents a mortal danger, not only for inmates but also for police and administrative staff" indicated Garry Desrosiers.

Worse than death row, the 2,000 inmates whose majority is in custody, live every day in fear of cholera, with no way to get away from this hell. With less than half square meter of living space per person, all the conditions are ripe for the spread of cholera.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1686-haiti-epidemic-national-penitentiary-30-cases-7-deaths.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1673-haiti-epidemic-cholera-makes-victims-in-the-prisons.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1112-haiti-prisons-national-penitentiary-05-m2-per-inmate.html

S/ HaitiLibre