Red Cross investigates prison conditions in Swaziland

[dArKeR]

Health and human rights groups are concerned about prison conditions in Swaziland, where alleged torture, lack of basic hygiene and unsafe sexual practices are spreading HIV among inmates.

"We want an end to beatings with metal chains when we are naked. The chains get bloody, and this spreads Aids when the next prisoner is beaten," Boyce Gama, an inmates' spokesperson at Matsapha Maximum Security Prison for Men, told a Swaziland Red Cross fact-finding meeting at the weekend.

The media and correctional services officials were invited to what the Red Cross described as an "interaction" with prisoners. Discussions were frank, and prison authorities promised to investigate prisoner concerns.

http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=23064