Dear Editor,
The Camp Street Prison was built to accommodate just around five hundred human beings, today it has almost thirteen hundred of them. Most of these guys are treated worse than stuffed dolphins. Just imagine, four big men sleeping on a small mattress, many of them are also sleeping in hammocks, some in the toilets and others just do not have anywhere to sleep.
The Minister of Home Affairs just talks and talks and does nothing after that. A few months ago he visited the prisons and made quite a few promises – just empty promises in order to score some cheap political points. There’s no need for me to warn the public again that a lot of things in the prison system are not normal, and if politicians, magistrates and judges continue to play games with those incarcerated, they must only blame themselves when the situation gets worse.
I humbly suggest that the acting Chief Justice, Hon Ian Chang, the acting DPP, the acting Chief Magistrate and the acting Police Chief immediately visit the prisons and have a first hand look at everything. Mr Editor, time is running out on us. Prisoners are simply tired of being locked away from their families, especially at this time of the year. We must take into consideration that there are many innocent persons behind bars, and unfortunately, for a very long time. We cannot allow this to go on, these prisoners must be treated like human beings.
However, if they choose to behave like animals then the public must understand that it is not by choice. In another letter I will expose the atrocious conditions of prison officers, and the treatment of prisoners’ relatives. The ball is in your court Mr Rohee, I have a lot of suggestions about the prisons for you. Actually, you shouldn’t be ashamed to take advice from me…after spending five years, compliments of your president I should know what I am talking about. So, please contact me at markbenschop@yahoo.com.
Yours faithfully,
Mark Benschop