Background
In the prison of Klessoum (Chad) conditions are poor, convicts, in particular women with their children, are often marginalised and their families tend to disregard them. Health and hygiene are not guaranteed.
Activities
On a weekly-base, the project coordination visited the 100 women convicts and reserved a whole day of attention to them. Visits were arranged in groups of tens. They responded to the women and children's basic needs: health and food (regular supply of medicines and food). In specific cases, the project coordination arranged to have convicts with special medical issues to be visited in medical centres outside the jail (American hospital). In addition, the project coordination also proposed a series of workshops on hygiene (cleaning of cells), personal health habits; literacy and French lessons were also organised. The coordination relied on a psychologist for emotional matters and a lawyer to handle the convicts' court issues and raise awareness on their rights.
Results
Following the project, the immune system of the women, children and youth of the prison of Klessoum showed better resilience and the spread of diseases in the prison among women, children and youth registered less cases.
Thanks to the stepping of the lawyer, the court cases were unlocked and progressed to sentences. A women was judged no guilty and freed. She followed up giving support to her former inmate friends.
Participation to the workshops built genuine group dynamics and interrelationships. Conflicts between convicts showed a decrease.
Extra comments :
The project suffered major amendments following prison riots in October 2022 in the capital. Access to the prison was further limited.
People being served
People being served : Women
Age group : Adults 26-60, Children 0-17
Number of participants : 51-100
Schedule
Project status : Completed
Images
Overview
Society presence : Democratic Republic of Congo/Chad
Focus of the project : People
JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed
UN Sustainable Development Goals : 2 Zero Hunger, 3 Good Health and Well being
