New Bell prison inmates decry coronavirus preventive measures at the facility

Inmates at the New Bell prison in Douala have raised worries regarding their health due to the coronavirus.

Despite the preventive measures laid by authorities, little they say has been done to keep them safe.

Talking to MMI, Joel (not real name), an inmate at the facility says despite using detergents to sanitise their habitat, they remain scared that the virus can be transmitted by personnel working at the prison who have contact with the outside world.

In addition to that, “they are still bringing in new prisoners even from yaounde. People are coming to prison every day, i’m afraid” he says.

“We are many here, please government should pity us, not all of us are not evil” he pleads.

The lack of face masks and hand sanitisers Joel says, coupled with the presence of drug users leaves them at greater risk of infection.

Since the coronavirus was detected in Cameroon, several calls have been made for the facilitation of judicial processes to decongest detention facilities.

An order postponing judicial hearings for a month after the virus was detected in Cameroon was retracted, permitting court cases to go through but limiting the number of persons in session.

Some activists argue that the measures are still not enough, calling for more to be done including sensitisation of inmates and the provision of safety kits for them.

Image: web

MMI