Africa-Press – Angola. The Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo, defended, this Friday, the need to give greater attention to women in prison and the protection of their rights.
The defense was made after an observation visit to the women’s wing of the Viana Penitentiary establishment, headed by the Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo.
During the visit, Florbela Araújo analyzed the level of internal organization and highlighted the satisfactory cooperation between the Establishment and the Ombudsman for the defense of the rights, freedoms and guarantees of the criminal population.
Florbela Araújo was concerned about the excess of prisoners who call for help because they do not have the financial means to pay compensation, postponing the possibility of benefiting from parole and being released from prison within the initial deadlines.
On this trip, the Ombudsman visited the cells or dormitories, as well as the library, virtual parlor, kitchen and arts and crafts rooms, having noted the good level of organization of the establishment and interviewed more than 50 inmates.
In the end, the Ombudsman spoke to the inmates and advised good behavior, repentance and the promise to take the concerns raised to the competent public entities.
On the other hand, the lack of equipment in the establishment’s kitchen and beauty salon has been one of the concerns of the inmates, who learn new skills for adequate reintegration into life in society.
With a functional infirmary operating 24 hours a day, the establishment has two specialist doctors. In the report on the situation, the citizens’ defender was informed that malaria is the pathology that most affects prisoners, along with chronic hypertensive diseases and those of the psychological forum.
For this reason, the Ombudsman recommended continued assistance, having ensured advocacy with the competent bodies, based on articles 560 to 561 of the Angolan Criminal Procedure Code, and the restitution of freedom to any inmate cannot be conditioned. , for not having paid the compensation, as well as the provision of medicines.
The director of the Penitentiary Establishment, Suzete Aguiar, reported that the inmates have been included in culture and leisure programs, theater, music, dance and singing.
With an installed capacity of 450 inmates, the Viana Women’s Penitentiary Establishment has three blocks and currently houses 279 inmates, including convicted women and those held in pre-trial detention, national and foreign, registering four cases of excess imprisonment.
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