Prison ministry

The kind folks from Springfield brought lots of personal hygiene stuff for the prisoners in town which they delivered yesterday morning.  Needless to say, the detainees were extremely grateful.

Jonas

This is 17 y/o Jonas who is presently a resident of the prison in Les Cayes.  Whatever he is accused of, he claims innocence.  No surprise there.  Paige was visiting the prison today and was allowed by the guards to take this close-up so that we could show you.  Doctor Jerry thinks he has hepatitis but blood-work is needed to determine which type- A, B or C.  He is in pain and has no appetite nor does he have a family to provide for him.  We'll be going back tomorrow (with Doctor J.) to see how we can help him and the other minors being held there.  We'd like to purchase personal hygiene kits for the all the prisoners (all 460 of 'em) which would include soap, shampoo, deodorant, powder, tooth paste and brush, laundry soap.  Will let you know the cost in another post.

Prison visit

Went with Ryan (his first visit) to the prison this morning. Saw JahRoro who looks terrible: gray tint to his skin, skin problems and he's lost weight. Asked him to manage the small Arts & Crafts project within the prison. Here are more wallets made of wrappers and powdered juice packets made by the inmates. They are incredible. Contact our office in Greensboro if interested.

Prison

Four hundred and fifty plastic lunch boxes getting filled with prepared and tasty food destined for the incarcerated in the local prison. Bottom photo: Dino looking a bit exhausted after cooking the food and now helping to distribute it.
The prisoners were allowed to leave their cells today for the first time since the riot so they could bathe. Most do not have soap or other personal hygiene items but they were very happy to get out and stretch. Repairs are being done to the damaged cells and as they are certified "secure" prisoners are placed in them alleviating the super-crowded conditions. Lord, help them.

We continue to assist our sisters and brothers in prison. The young man in the center of the prison cell photo is one of our former residents. It is heartbreaking to see him there. They are still under lock and key all day long. It is way beyond comprehension. Repairs are being made to the rest of the prison so that the incarcerated can at least get out to take a bucket shower. They have not received medical attention since the lock-down; gunshot wounds have not been treated; they have no personal hygiene stuff. Words cannot describe this situation.
In the bottom photo are our guys prepping the food for distribution and, yes, that's our very pregnant Nancy standing on the left.

Prison

We will be assisting the local prison in providing food until their supplies can be restocked. USAID and Cross International are subsidizing this effort by redirecting packaged food meant for a meal program destined for out-lying schools. The food is prepared in our antiquated kitchen at Castel-Pere and delivered to the prison where some of our staff and older boys distribute the meals. The conditions in the prison are horrendous. The cells are holding 50 to 75 people when they were designed for eight or, at most, twelve people. There are too many people to allow everyone to sleep at the same time. The walls and roof are being repaired but will take time so the prisoners suffer. I have more photos but decided to only post one as to do more smacks of voyeurism or trying to capitalize on the backs of our unfortunate brothers. Please keep these people in your prayers. The guards, too, need your prayers. They are as much in shock and disbelief as the incarcerated.

Prison

Top photo of a jammed cell. Nathalie and Kesnel Jeudi (who should have been released from prison in two months) prepare the plastic boxes for distribution.

Several of the lesser hurt prisoners who need medical attention. There are 60 to 75 prisoners in each cell which is absolutely inhumane. They have a bucket for a toilet and no running water and have not been out of their cells since yesterday. Needless to say, the place smells pretty bad.

If you look carefully at the gentleman's back (center) you'll see the damage done by a shotgun. The man claims that he was in his cell when the guard stuck the shotgun through the bars and pulled the trigger. There are pellets or grains still in the man's back so we are working on getting a doctor out to the prison tomorrow. Another prisoner was shot by a small caliber handgun and the bullet entered his left upper chest. He's in much pain so the doc will be busy.

In the bottom photo you see the pots of nutritious IFRP (International Food Resource Program) lentil soup mix subsidized by Cross International and USAID. We prepared it at Castel-Pere, transferred the food into coolers for the trip to town and began distributing the food into plastic containers for each prisoner. Thought we had enough for 450 prisoners but were only able to feed 350. We'll do better tomorrow.

Prison duds

Hyppolite, Serge and Nancy

The tailor program for the local prisoners is doing well. These are some of their creations. Those that don't fit the children of Espwa will be sold. The money made will go back into the program. Cross International-Catholic Outreach support allows us to do this for our incarcerated brothers.