STORY
Forgotten Lives
Prisons - Madagascar 2019
In a journey through the harsh realities hidden behind the walls of Malagasy prisons, we delve into a narrative that reveals the living conditions at the edge of survival, where malnutrition and overcrowding become the main characters of a sad daily life. The images in our report speak louder than a thousand words, portraying stories not only of despair but also of resilience.
Malnutrition: A Daily Battle for Survival
Overcrowding: A System in Collapse
Cassava, a simple tuberous root, becomes the symbol of an incessant struggle against malnutrition. Each inmate has to make do with a meager 300 grams per day, an amount that challenges any conception of adequate nutrition. Gilbert Ravelusun, Director General of Programs and Resources at the Ministry of Justice, gives me an insight into the food supply mechanisms of the prisons, highlighting a system that is inadequate and often inefficient.
Despite the efforts of some Regional Directors of the Prison Administration (DRAP) to utilize the land adjacent to the prisons to improve food supply, bureaucratic challenges and lack of resources make every progress a hard-earned victory. With only 29 cents per day per inmate, the reality is that many remain trapped in a cycle of hunger and despair.
Eighty percent of the inmates are awaiting trial in pre-trial detention, a statistic that highlights an overburdened and ineffective judicial system. This situation is exacerbated by a perception of corruption that permeates the entire system, leaving many without hope for justice. The prisons, often dilapidated colonial structures, are scenes of overcrowding that endangers both safety and human dignity.
This report not only captures the inhumane living conditions but also the resilience of those forced to live in these conditions. It tells the stories of families who go into debt just to provide a minimum of comfort for their imprisoned loved ones, paying for every basic necessity in a system where everything has a price.
