The word prison or jallu, immediately evoke an unpleasant and unacceptable image in our mind.
This is the place where you and I definitely do not wish to live. …where we do not wish our children to end up.
This is the place where the people who do the bad are sent to.
We do not wish our children , our brothers or sisters to waste away in the rotten cells of any prison.
However, many of our children or our family members do end up in the jallu, sometimes for short periods or sometimes for long periods. It is very unfortuntate….but this is a reality which we cannot ignore. There are and always will be a percentage of people who would go against the established rules and laws, there will always be people in the society who would commit crimes. They must be segregated from the society and they must serve their sentences…in prisons.
However, it is the duty of the public to offer the opportunity of rehabilitation even to these offenders, such that the prison becomes a place which is more than just a place to lock up people.
The hope with which rehabilitation programmes are initiated in prisons and other such centres is that some day…the person who offended would reform.
However, there is research which shows that this is not a smooth or easy process. Reforming or rehabilitating an offender can be a challenging process indeed.
For example, the social structures of prison, the power hierarchy within the prison can obstruct the process of reform and rehabilitation.
Often the prisoners acquire knowledge, and pick up skills within the prison which may actually strengthen their desire to commit further crimes. This can happen especially when hard core criminals are not segregated from first time offenders. A silent process of initiating the young, first time offenders take place, where the young are gradually introduced to new information on crime, new knowledge and skills, they also begin to form new relationships.
These individuals spend hours away from the society, often with little or no interaction with the rest of the world. And many times when they do, the world they come out to is not the world they left behind. Further, the seal of criminal is stamped on their forehead and the society is not ready to either forget or forgive. The society is often not willing to trust them with employment or is not willing to allow the individual back in the mainstream of social living...the taboo of going to prison...can be a lifelong stima for some people.
Isolated and damned as different , the lot is often left with each other for support. The prison experience has become the most significant aspect in the lives of many who lived through their time at prison. They have the same memories of shared experiences....and the reality of living outside of the prison leave them with common problems.
One of the greatest challenges that we as a society face is understanding and accepting these realities. Why do those who return to the community reoffend so soon, why is it they find it so difficult to adjust to th society and accept the societal norms ?
Can we even dare to think about what could have happened to the prisoners during the time they were in the prison?
This is ofcourse talking beyond the politics of prison conditions, police torture etc......
Could it possibly be that the prison experience have left them with lasting imprints?
It is true that within a prison they will have to follow the prison rules and regulations too but besides these they would also have had to abide by their own rules for themselves. They would have belonged to a prison subculture, they would have had to belong to a hierarchy of authority among themselves and among their peers, sometimes adopting roles, picking up attitudes and behaviours they may carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Breaking through all this is a part of the rehabilitation process, one that involves definite challenges.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Handling the cactus; Hope for an era of prison reform in the Maldives (Part III)
I was lucky to have had the opportunity to observe the drug rehabilitation programmes run in some of the prisons in a few South Asian countries. One of the prisons I was particularly interested was the present Changi prison, Singapore.
Though once it was notorious for various atrocities and violation of human rights of its prisoners, I was impressed by the secure and exemplary prison system which is now established in this prison (at least when I saw it way back in 2002) . To day it is a prison which has the capacity to accommodate thousands of prisoners and also focus on providing rehabilitation to its inmates.
My main interest was particularly on the Rehabilitation programme.
I saw that hard core seasoned criminals were segregated from first time offenders and their daily schedules were well organised from morning to night. The prison had a rigorous and comprehensive rehabilitation programme, with physical recreation being a priority.
The manner in which the vocational skills unit ran was what most fascinated me.
The prisoners cook their own food, run a laundry service for hospitals, and it also had units where prisoners were engaged in other skills such as, tailoring, handicrafts, screen printing, book binding, copper tooling , carpentry and bread making as part of their daily work routines.
As I watched the convicts attending to these tasks with diligence, perseverance and effort, I hoped that one day our own convicts would be offered this opportunity. ....if and when we are able to provide...a comprehensive prison rehabilitation programme for the prisoners.
Ofcourse we can assume that if a person could work from morning to night and be glad of the output he generates, that person is already moving leaps and bounds towards establishing a stable foundation in the process of rebuilding his life. That individual is getting ready to enter employment again.
This is rehabilitation…not as we understand it in our society today. Because many of us unfortunately believe, that if a person goes to a rehabilitation centre then he would get rehabilitated.
The prison which offer such rehabilitation programmes also provide the opportunity for education, making it possible for the convicts to sit for O/levels and A/levels or even higher level courses while they are within the prison systems.
And the best thing is that by participating in these programmes they can earn while they are still in the the prison and this can be saved up in their own accounts or they can offer financial support to their family members even while they are serving their sentences.
Further components of the rehabilitation programmes as that in the Changi prison can include, religious and social counselling introducing faith based healing through the rehabilitation effort.
It is considered essential to deal with the family, social and personal problems an individual may have through either, individual counselling, group or family counselling.
The above just provide a glimpse of the type of programmes which may be carried out in a prison based rehabilitation programme. Ofcourse, what I have qouted above is just a bit of what I saw in one prison based rehabilitation programme. Different countries, however, can adopt different prioson based rehabilitation models and can have different components in their models.
The most important thing however, is to remember that rehabilitation cannot be forced on an individual. Individuals have to want to change, must be motivated to change, they have to want their lives to become better, whatever circumstance they may be in.
I hope that we in the Maldives will be able to have a similar or better prison based rehabilitation model. Indeed it can be made possible . The offenders, be it an addict or a convict they matter , their lives matter and it is definitely our responsibility to make a difference to the lives of the less deprived.(......to continue)
Though once it was notorious for various atrocities and violation of human rights of its prisoners, I was impressed by the secure and exemplary prison system which is now established in this prison (at least when I saw it way back in 2002) . To day it is a prison which has the capacity to accommodate thousands of prisoners and also focus on providing rehabilitation to its inmates.
My main interest was particularly on the Rehabilitation programme.
I saw that hard core seasoned criminals were segregated from first time offenders and their daily schedules were well organised from morning to night. The prison had a rigorous and comprehensive rehabilitation programme, with physical recreation being a priority.
The manner in which the vocational skills unit ran was what most fascinated me.
The prisoners cook their own food, run a laundry service for hospitals, and it also had units where prisoners were engaged in other skills such as, tailoring, handicrafts, screen printing, book binding, copper tooling , carpentry and bread making as part of their daily work routines.
As I watched the convicts attending to these tasks with diligence, perseverance and effort, I hoped that one day our own convicts would be offered this opportunity. ....if and when we are able to provide...a comprehensive prison rehabilitation programme for the prisoners.
Ofcourse we can assume that if a person could work from morning to night and be glad of the output he generates, that person is already moving leaps and bounds towards establishing a stable foundation in the process of rebuilding his life. That individual is getting ready to enter employment again.
This is rehabilitation…not as we understand it in our society today. Because many of us unfortunately believe, that if a person goes to a rehabilitation centre then he would get rehabilitated.
The prison which offer such rehabilitation programmes also provide the opportunity for education, making it possible for the convicts to sit for O/levels and A/levels or even higher level courses while they are within the prison systems.
And the best thing is that by participating in these programmes they can earn while they are still in the the prison and this can be saved up in their own accounts or they can offer financial support to their family members even while they are serving their sentences.
Further components of the rehabilitation programmes as that in the Changi prison can include, religious and social counselling introducing faith based healing through the rehabilitation effort.
It is considered essential to deal with the family, social and personal problems an individual may have through either, individual counselling, group or family counselling.
The above just provide a glimpse of the type of programmes which may be carried out in a prison based rehabilitation programme. Ofcourse, what I have qouted above is just a bit of what I saw in one prison based rehabilitation programme. Different countries, however, can adopt different prioson based rehabilitation models and can have different components in their models.
The most important thing however, is to remember that rehabilitation cannot be forced on an individual. Individuals have to want to change, must be motivated to change, they have to want their lives to become better, whatever circumstance they may be in.
I hope that we in the Maldives will be able to have a similar or better prison based rehabilitation model. Indeed it can be made possible . The offenders, be it an addict or a convict they matter , their lives matter and it is definitely our responsibility to make a difference to the lives of the less deprived.(......to continue)
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Cactus by different names; About Maldivian prisoners, prisons and jails (Part II)
Recently there was an announcement that a minimum security jail has been built at Himmafushi and that it has commenced operations with the transfer of some prisoners from Feydhoo Finolhu.
Apparently this ‘jail’ will be able to accommodate 100 people and according to media reports, ‘mostly the building would act as a treatment facility for those prisoners who had been sentenced to jail time on drug abuse charges’. Some of the media quotes;
“We will shortlist the prisoners who will be transferred to Feydhoo Finolhu from the jail and we will follow strict procedure during the process,” Dr Waheed said.
“We will consider their sentences and their behavior……..We have to change their way of thinking somewhat,” he said. .”( eh eh!!!!….interesting quote….how may one achieve this?????? ) “Then we can introduce them into the rehab treatments.’ The Deputy Minister said that the facility at Feydhoo Finolhu was not permanent.
So based on this report I would assume that what we actually have at Himmafushi is a minimum security prison, while what we have at Feydhu finolhu would be a jail?
One may wonder at this point what’s a minimum security prison?
Prisons are often classified according to different security levels and different countries may adopt different type of categorizations. The level of prison security designated to a prison can be used to gauge the extent to which an offender who is assigned to that facility is separated from the community.
The following is a very general classification of prisons, according to prison security levels.
I felt the need to write about it here because I think we have now entered an era where we can actually speak about prison category levels openly in the media. I also feel it is important for the general public to understand what is implied by ‘lui jallu’ and the likes which may otherwise appear to be gibberish to the lay person.
Minimum-security prisons are generally intended to imprison low-risk, first-time offenders convicted of nonviolent crimes. These institutions sometimes function as transitional housing for prisoners from maximum- or medium-security prisons who will soon be paroled. Minimum-security facilities need not have a huge infrastructure and can just be a dormitory. Inmates assigned to such facilities are trusted and expected to comply with prison rules.
So what we have at himmafushi called the ‘lui jallu’ is probably a minimum security prison (though one of the papers did refer to it as a medium security prison) where people who are convicted of substance abuse problems (lets assume this will also be first time offenders) will be imprisoned and hopefully they will get the opportunity to undergo a good prison based drug rehabilitation programme prior to being offered parole.
Medium security prisons
Do we have a medium security prison in the Maldives and who gets imprisoned there?
Medium security prisons generally imprison extremely violent or nonviolent offenders and they are housed within common living areas.
Hence, inmates in medium-security facilities typically occupy cells that may accommodate more than one prisoner. In such a facility, freedom of movement, privileges and access to various educational, vocational, or therapeutic programs are greatly restricted. Prison officials can also limit visitation and extra precaution is generally taken to monitor communication between inmates and visitors.
Maximum-security prisons are mostly utilized to imprison the most dangerous inmates who are a severe threat to public safety, staff, and other inmates. Inmates confined in a maximum security unit are generally expected to remain in their cell 23 hours a day. During the other one hour they may be allowed to take a bath or exercise outside.
I wonder who may be imprisoned in such a facilty in the Maldives now. We have heard from various political prisoners from the past that they were subjected to prison conditions as may exist in a maximum security prison. So we definitely have or have had such maximum security prisons in the country.
Perhaps it is time we used these prisons to imprison people such as gang leaders or those who dare to kill people mercilessly on broad day light so as to deter any further gang related killings on the streets of Male’ or in any part of the Maldives.
In addition to these some countries also have super-max or maxi-maxi prisons which are also called “control units”. These prisons have severe restrictions as human contact is minimal and inmates are kept in solitary confinement in small (generally in six feet by eight feet) cells for long periods each day. They eat alone and have no opportunities for work or for socialization. Outdoor recreation is allowed only once a week and restraints are used whenever prisoners leave their cells. Those who are sentenced to these types of prisons include the most violent and dangerous prisoners and those who are most likely to escape.
Besides these there are prisons for women (we understand that such separate facilities for women are available for female prisoners in the Maldives) and there are separate prisons for minors who are generally housed in juvenile correctional institutes (perhaps the previous facility at the current “lui jallu” in Himma fushi served this purpose?).
Usually individuals who have not reached the legal age of adulthood are not sent to prisons with adults. Instead, they are housed in juvenile correctional institutions if they committed such crimes as theft, robbery, rape, and murder. In some parts of the world correctional institutes also house minors who have committed acts that would not be crimes if adults committed them, but which are prohibited to minors. Examples of such acts include running away from home or truancy (missing school). Perhaps in the Maldives the centre at Maafushi serves this purpose.
Usually confinements of juveniles are for shorter periods and generally they are released after they reach adulthood, unless their delinquent offenses are accompanied by other more serious crimes.
Juvenile centres may offer programs such as basic education, vocational and technical training (such programs are apparently offered at the Maafushi juvenile centre), and counselling on an individual or group basis ( we need more counsellors in the country who could provide quality servies at these centres,so that we can nip issues in the bud, ...before these juvenile delinquents blossoms to adulthood and then become full fledged criminals).
What are the type of programs that can be run in a prison?
Thus, the prison classification facilitates security requirements with program needs.
In an ideal situation prisoners at admission to the facility should undergo medical and mental health screenings. Individual profiles of each inmate ought to be developed and this should include the offender’s crime, social background, education, job skills and work history, health, substance abuse history, and criminal record, including prior prison sentences.
Further, after the initial assessment inmate behavior and continuing risk assessments should be carried out by prison staff and this should determine the inmate’s progression through the various custody levels to minimum custody and eventual release. Thus, aiding the newly formed parole board to determine whether a particular prisoner has made enough progress that warrant release to the community on parole. Making the basis for release on parole more transparet through a well documented process of progressive rehabilitation which facilitated overall improvements in that particular prisoner.
Prisoners while under imprisonment should be made to work and undergo other rehabilitative self improvement programs, and treatment.
They must also know that as they serve their sentences, they have to comply with prison rules, do the assigned work, and participate in the corrective programs that may be offered to them. Prisoners who violate prison rules must be punished and should be moved to a more restrictive classification or a more secure prison.
Unfortunately the opposite is happening in the Maldivian situation. Prisoners who violate prison rules, organize strikes, terrorize the staff and other inmates are then transferred for home visits/family visits and are allowed to be back in the community where they can again get access to drugs or are given the opportunity to offend again.
If we read the recent news reports we know this as a fact as those brought following prison hunger strikes were rearrested in less than 24 for possession of drugs. Prisoners brought to Male for parole/family visits, following a series of previous strikes were also rearrested within a short span of time for reoffending......
However the hope is, as a proper prison system is established in the country and the general public become more aware, we will cease to see the tolerance of such behaviours both by the public and by the concerned authorities ( part 111....will follow soon!!).
Apparently this ‘jail’ will be able to accommodate 100 people and according to media reports, ‘mostly the building would act as a treatment facility for those prisoners who had been sentenced to jail time on drug abuse charges’. Some of the media quotes;
“We will shortlist the prisoners who will be transferred to Feydhoo Finolhu from the jail and we will follow strict procedure during the process,” Dr Waheed said.
“We will consider their sentences and their behavior……..We have to change their way of thinking somewhat,” he said. .”( eh eh!!!!….interesting quote….how may one achieve this?????? ) “Then we can introduce them into the rehab treatments.’ The Deputy Minister said that the facility at Feydhoo Finolhu was not permanent.
So based on this report I would assume that what we actually have at Himmafushi is a minimum security prison, while what we have at Feydhu finolhu would be a jail?
One may wonder at this point what’s a minimum security prison?
Prisons are often classified according to different security levels and different countries may adopt different type of categorizations. The level of prison security designated to a prison can be used to gauge the extent to which an offender who is assigned to that facility is separated from the community.
The following is a very general classification of prisons, according to prison security levels.
I felt the need to write about it here because I think we have now entered an era where we can actually speak about prison category levels openly in the media. I also feel it is important for the general public to understand what is implied by ‘lui jallu’ and the likes which may otherwise appear to be gibberish to the lay person.
Minimum-security prisons are generally intended to imprison low-risk, first-time offenders convicted of nonviolent crimes. These institutions sometimes function as transitional housing for prisoners from maximum- or medium-security prisons who will soon be paroled. Minimum-security facilities need not have a huge infrastructure and can just be a dormitory. Inmates assigned to such facilities are trusted and expected to comply with prison rules.
So what we have at himmafushi called the ‘lui jallu’ is probably a minimum security prison (though one of the papers did refer to it as a medium security prison) where people who are convicted of substance abuse problems (lets assume this will also be first time offenders) will be imprisoned and hopefully they will get the opportunity to undergo a good prison based drug rehabilitation programme prior to being offered parole.
Medium security prisons
Do we have a medium security prison in the Maldives and who gets imprisoned there?
Medium security prisons generally imprison extremely violent or nonviolent offenders and they are housed within common living areas.
Hence, inmates in medium-security facilities typically occupy cells that may accommodate more than one prisoner. In such a facility, freedom of movement, privileges and access to various educational, vocational, or therapeutic programs are greatly restricted. Prison officials can also limit visitation and extra precaution is generally taken to monitor communication between inmates and visitors.
Maximum-security prisons are mostly utilized to imprison the most dangerous inmates who are a severe threat to public safety, staff, and other inmates. Inmates confined in a maximum security unit are generally expected to remain in their cell 23 hours a day. During the other one hour they may be allowed to take a bath or exercise outside.
I wonder who may be imprisoned in such a facilty in the Maldives now. We have heard from various political prisoners from the past that they were subjected to prison conditions as may exist in a maximum security prison. So we definitely have or have had such maximum security prisons in the country.
Perhaps it is time we used these prisons to imprison people such as gang leaders or those who dare to kill people mercilessly on broad day light so as to deter any further gang related killings on the streets of Male’ or in any part of the Maldives.
In addition to these some countries also have super-max or maxi-maxi prisons which are also called “control units”. These prisons have severe restrictions as human contact is minimal and inmates are kept in solitary confinement in small (generally in six feet by eight feet) cells for long periods each day. They eat alone and have no opportunities for work or for socialization. Outdoor recreation is allowed only once a week and restraints are used whenever prisoners leave their cells. Those who are sentenced to these types of prisons include the most violent and dangerous prisoners and those who are most likely to escape.
Besides these there are prisons for women (we understand that such separate facilities for women are available for female prisoners in the Maldives) and there are separate prisons for minors who are generally housed in juvenile correctional institutes (perhaps the previous facility at the current “lui jallu” in Himma fushi served this purpose?).
Usually individuals who have not reached the legal age of adulthood are not sent to prisons with adults. Instead, they are housed in juvenile correctional institutions if they committed such crimes as theft, robbery, rape, and murder. In some parts of the world correctional institutes also house minors who have committed acts that would not be crimes if adults committed them, but which are prohibited to minors. Examples of such acts include running away from home or truancy (missing school). Perhaps in the Maldives the centre at Maafushi serves this purpose.
Usually confinements of juveniles are for shorter periods and generally they are released after they reach adulthood, unless their delinquent offenses are accompanied by other more serious crimes.
Juvenile centres may offer programs such as basic education, vocational and technical training (such programs are apparently offered at the Maafushi juvenile centre), and counselling on an individual or group basis ( we need more counsellors in the country who could provide quality servies at these centres,so that we can nip issues in the bud, ...before these juvenile delinquents blossoms to adulthood and then become full fledged criminals).
What are the type of programs that can be run in a prison?
Thus, the prison classification facilitates security requirements with program needs.
In an ideal situation prisoners at admission to the facility should undergo medical and mental health screenings. Individual profiles of each inmate ought to be developed and this should include the offender’s crime, social background, education, job skills and work history, health, substance abuse history, and criminal record, including prior prison sentences.
Further, after the initial assessment inmate behavior and continuing risk assessments should be carried out by prison staff and this should determine the inmate’s progression through the various custody levels to minimum custody and eventual release. Thus, aiding the newly formed parole board to determine whether a particular prisoner has made enough progress that warrant release to the community on parole. Making the basis for release on parole more transparet through a well documented process of progressive rehabilitation which facilitated overall improvements in that particular prisoner.
Prisoners while under imprisonment should be made to work and undergo other rehabilitative self improvement programs, and treatment.
They must also know that as they serve their sentences, they have to comply with prison rules, do the assigned work, and participate in the corrective programs that may be offered to them. Prisoners who violate prison rules must be punished and should be moved to a more restrictive classification or a more secure prison.
Unfortunately the opposite is happening in the Maldivian situation. Prisoners who violate prison rules, organize strikes, terrorize the staff and other inmates are then transferred for home visits/family visits and are allowed to be back in the community where they can again get access to drugs or are given the opportunity to offend again.
If we read the recent news reports we know this as a fact as those brought following prison hunger strikes were rearrested in less than 24 for possession of drugs. Prisoners brought to Male for parole/family visits, following a series of previous strikes were also rearrested within a short span of time for reoffending......
However the hope is, as a proper prison system is established in the country and the general public become more aware, we will cease to see the tolerance of such behaviours both by the public and by the concerned authorities ( part 111....will follow soon!!).
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Cactus by Another Name? About Maldivian Prisoners, Prisons and Jails (PART 1)
Issues about the prison, prisoners and crime are fast becoming a hot topic among many Maldivians. Headlines about the prisons and prison related issues blast through the media, penetrating our brains with concern every day.
These bits of news affect the daily life and conscience of all Maldivians.
Some of the headlines reported in the local media in the past 4 days are quoted below.
14.01.2009
‘Minimum security jails in Himmafishi begins its operations’
‘Man arrested at ViliMale on drugs charges’
Maafushi Jail detainees hospitalized at Hulhumale'
‘Police arresting more drug dealers’
13.01.2009
‘HRC calls for convicts under house arrest to be kept isolated from society ’
‘15 arrests on drugs cases last week’
‘Convicts to be given rehabilitation chance as soon as Law permits’
12.01.2009
’Maafushi shootings victim seeks compensation’
‘2 men arrested for assault at Inguraidhoo’
11.01.2009
‘4 Men Arrested for Assault’
’Maafushi Inmates Go on Hunger-Strike Again’ (95% of inmates are now believed to be taking part in the protest)
‘Parents of Maafushi Inmates Protest’
The headlines reflect several things.
An effort is being made by the concerned authorities to deal with crime and prison issues by opening new jails, attempting rehabilitation, while prisoners and parents are fighting for the rights they believe the prisoners ought to have. HRC also has something to say…
Definitely these are interesting developments.
But as I read these news pieces, my thoughts blast inside my brain, creating several queries on my mind.
Why on Earth are People Imprisoned in the First Place?
My understanding is that people are generally imprisoned to protect the society and for purposes of prevention of crime. It is also a sort of revenge against criminals as they must be given what they deserve and this is done with the hope that due to imprisonment they may learn to regret having committing crimes in the first place. Thus, rehabilitation programmes are run in the prison, with the hope that it will deter them from committing further crimes.
By imprisoning criminals we also allow others in the society to believe that crime is something that cannot be tolerated. The underlying message is that those who commit crimes will have to face the consequences for their actions.
I believe we must have zero tolerance to crime. We must not allow criminals to dictate terms to those they have wronged. By striking in the prisons, or just because parents are joining their sons or daughters in these strikes, their criminal sentences cannot be overlooked on humanitarian grounds (provided that their human rights are not violated). They must serve their sentences in the prison and they must not be released due to the pressures of these strikes.
It is however, a different matter how the rule of law has defined ‘criminals’ and passed judgment for imprisonment.
So Where Should These Criminals Be Imprisoned and What’s The Difference Between a Jail and a Prison?
Although ‘jalu’ is the common term we Maldivians use to refer to prison and jail they normally do not mean the same.
Generally, jails imprison offenders who have got short sentences, or to house those who are awaiting trial and inmates frequently change due to the short duration of their stay, etc. Jails in different parts of the world are comparatively smaller than prisons and generally do not offer rehabilitation programmes.
However, prisons house long term offenders; they often offer several rehabilitation programs and have several facilities and services which are offered to the inmates. Prisons may be divided into several levels.
So now we are told that a minimum security ‘jail’ has been opened at Himmafushi. Is this a prison or jail? Have we had such a prison before??
What happened to Gaamaadhu prison? What sort of prison/ jails do we have at Dhoonidhoo?
Did we ever have a prison where rehabilitation has been tried? What sort of Jalu did we have at Feydhoofinolhu before? What will happen differently now? Who will do it differently and why will anything be done differently? Did anything go wrong with the prisons in Maldives? Has any research ever been done in this area? If not, why not? What is going to be done differently now or is this just “cactus by another name?” ( will continue…..)
These bits of news affect the daily life and conscience of all Maldivians.
Some of the headlines reported in the local media in the past 4 days are quoted below.
14.01.2009
‘Minimum security jails in Himmafishi begins its operations’
‘Man arrested at ViliMale on drugs charges’
Maafushi Jail detainees hospitalized at Hulhumale'
‘Police arresting more drug dealers’
13.01.2009
‘HRC calls for convicts under house arrest to be kept isolated from society ’
‘15 arrests on drugs cases last week’
‘Convicts to be given rehabilitation chance as soon as Law permits’
12.01.2009
’Maafushi shootings victim seeks compensation’
‘2 men arrested for assault at Inguraidhoo’
11.01.2009
‘4 Men Arrested for Assault’
’Maafushi Inmates Go on Hunger-Strike Again’ (95% of inmates are now believed to be taking part in the protest)
‘Parents of Maafushi Inmates Protest’
The headlines reflect several things.
An effort is being made by the concerned authorities to deal with crime and prison issues by opening new jails, attempting rehabilitation, while prisoners and parents are fighting for the rights they believe the prisoners ought to have. HRC also has something to say…
Definitely these are interesting developments.
But as I read these news pieces, my thoughts blast inside my brain, creating several queries on my mind.
Why on Earth are People Imprisoned in the First Place?
My understanding is that people are generally imprisoned to protect the society and for purposes of prevention of crime. It is also a sort of revenge against criminals as they must be given what they deserve and this is done with the hope that due to imprisonment they may learn to regret having committing crimes in the first place. Thus, rehabilitation programmes are run in the prison, with the hope that it will deter them from committing further crimes.
By imprisoning criminals we also allow others in the society to believe that crime is something that cannot be tolerated. The underlying message is that those who commit crimes will have to face the consequences for their actions.
I believe we must have zero tolerance to crime. We must not allow criminals to dictate terms to those they have wronged. By striking in the prisons, or just because parents are joining their sons or daughters in these strikes, their criminal sentences cannot be overlooked on humanitarian grounds (provided that their human rights are not violated). They must serve their sentences in the prison and they must not be released due to the pressures of these strikes.
It is however, a different matter how the rule of law has defined ‘criminals’ and passed judgment for imprisonment.
So Where Should These Criminals Be Imprisoned and What’s The Difference Between a Jail and a Prison?
Although ‘jalu’ is the common term we Maldivians use to refer to prison and jail they normally do not mean the same.
Generally, jails imprison offenders who have got short sentences, or to house those who are awaiting trial and inmates frequently change due to the short duration of their stay, etc. Jails in different parts of the world are comparatively smaller than prisons and generally do not offer rehabilitation programmes.
However, prisons house long term offenders; they often offer several rehabilitation programs and have several facilities and services which are offered to the inmates. Prisons may be divided into several levels.
So now we are told that a minimum security ‘jail’ has been opened at Himmafushi. Is this a prison or jail? Have we had such a prison before??
What happened to Gaamaadhu prison? What sort of prison/ jails do we have at Dhoonidhoo?
Did we ever have a prison where rehabilitation has been tried? What sort of Jalu did we have at Feydhoofinolhu before? What will happen differently now? Who will do it differently and why will anything be done differently? Did anything go wrong with the prisons in Maldives? Has any research ever been done in this area? If not, why not? What is going to be done differently now or is this just “cactus by another name?” ( will continue…..)
Saturday, 10 January 2009
30 days....and a confession
It is 30 days since I started blogging..( or rather started posting articles in my blog ) and today I realise( based on the number of people who may have viewed this blog )that there are lots of people who are interested in reading these articles. I enjoy the comments that I receive and hope I continue to receive such feedback .
I think blogging is an amazing way to vent out the frustrations, ideas and thoughts that steam inside the mind.
Well...when I used to get totally out of my mind before, I used to go to Lonuziyaaraikolhu ...after 11.00 (hmmmmmm..ya..)gather little stones and throw them into the sea....and see how far it would reach. Thank God no one ever caught me at this!!!
Now...it seems through blogging I can scream my mind out too and I feel nice to have joined the world of Maldivian bloggers.
I would also like to admit that sometimes I may not be able to post articles very regularly as I am supposed to be writing up my thesis ( PhD)during the next couple of months.
But I am sure....I am getting hooked to this blog and you will continue to see my articles....!!
Thanks for the encouragement I have received from the readers during the past 30 days!
Happy reading.
I think blogging is an amazing way to vent out the frustrations, ideas and thoughts that steam inside the mind.
Well...when I used to get totally out of my mind before, I used to go to Lonuziyaaraikolhu ...after 11.00 (hmmmmmm..ya..)gather little stones and throw them into the sea....and see how far it would reach. Thank God no one ever caught me at this!!!
Now...it seems through blogging I can scream my mind out too and I feel nice to have joined the world of Maldivian bloggers.
I would also like to admit that sometimes I may not be able to post articles very regularly as I am supposed to be writing up my thesis ( PhD)during the next couple of months.
But I am sure....I am getting hooked to this blog and you will continue to see my articles....!!
Thanks for the encouragement I have received from the readers during the past 30 days!
Happy reading.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Brief but unforgettable interactions with L, M, N, O and P
This incident happened in 2007, when I was in Maldives to gather data for some research work I am carrying out.
On this particular day, at dusk, I was waiting outside a clinic in Male’ hoping to hail a taxi on the street, as the Taxi Centres were not answering their phones.
Mr. L, a young man of about 25 years was standing next to me, completely zapped out of his mind. Since I showed no fear of him and did not hesitate to stand close to him, I immediately sensed his discomfort and soon he demonstrated this by taking out a penknife and running its sharp edge on his arm, it did not bother me and I stood there undeterred by his attempt to scare me.
He received a call and advised who-ever was on the phone to come to the spot where we were. Mr. L then called up some others of his group and asked them to come to that same spot.
Within minutes, two guys came on a bike and another two guys came running from the other side of the street. One of the guys who ran across the street had a steel chain hanging from his belt and I saw the knife the second guy carried.
The two guys on the bike stopped close to where I was standing and I saw Mr. L hand over a small packet to one of the guys and say; “Now c’mon … the money”. Few crisp Rf 500 notes were given to two of the guys who ran, I could not hear what they muttered but in their dazed state they handed it back to Mr.L saying “That’s ours too !”.
The guy nodded as the two on the bike drove away.
At this point I interfered by saying, “But that’s so little money for all that heroin”. Immediately Mr. L took out the penknife and pointing it towards me said, “Dhatha, bunan….. nubehey kanthaka nubehey”(let me tell ya sister, mind your own business).
I smiled and said, ‘but it’s my business, you three are so zapped you all did not even count that money properly’. By now the other two guys who looked like the real gangsters approached me and said, “Ey faadu faadah aharun na nubeheythi ingey”
( don't interfere with us..)
I stopped them then and said, “your kind don’t scare me at all, so don’t bother to put fear in me, infact I feel so sad for the three of you, I wish I could help you…I want to help you, you and you. You see no one is helping you, neither your parents nor society but I wish I could help all three of you, who are so high on heroin and don’t even know what you people are doing”.
Mr. L then said to me, “Dhatha a keetha eyn…aharun nubomey fatheh….”(it's none of your business sister, we don't use drugs').
I looked at him and said, “ Ya,…..you three better go in for your next dose soon because it is becoming very apparent that time is up….”
One of the guys at that moment said, “Wait… who are you, what are you doing here any way?”
I told them my name and said that I needed a taxi to get home. All three of them recognised me from my name but not my face, and looking at me Mr. L said, “I will get a taxi for you….”
At this point I asked them, who they were. They said the three were brothers, one had already been to the Rehab and the other two did not believe they can ever benefit from rehabilitation. The guy who had been to the Rehab said, “I slipped soon after….i cannot ever recover ….”
Mr. L stood in the middle of the road for minutes trying to stop a taxi but no one stopped.
He came back and said, “You see even they will not stop, they all know who we are”.
As I nodded he said to me, “Life has no meaning except to use….and use again…tell me, do people with this ever recover any where in the world?”
I nodded. The three of them were looking at me in a strange way as I answered.
“Yes, they do. If you decide and sincerely put an effort, there is a chance, because even in Maldives there are people who have recovered or are in the recovery process, you can volunteer to go for rehabilitation before you get a criminal record, please volunteer and go for rehabilitation”.
At that moment Mr. L said, “Give me your phone number.”
I waved for a Taxi to go home. Mr. L ran to open the door for me.
He seems to be asking me something…begging, pleading, but I did not know what he was asking me so…..I went away to the comfort of my home.
Three days after the incident, Mr. L called me and said, “I have volunteered to go to the Rehab, the other two are still on the streets…they did not wish to come……tell me again, can I recover?”
What could I say? That I know the relapse rate is very high, recovery is a process, I personally had reservations about the effectiveness of the existing drug rehabilitation model followed at DRC, but accept it because we do not have the resources to offer anything better….how could I tell him all this…..or any of it ?....”
Instead I heard myself say, “Take one day at a time…I am glad you decided on this”
He said, “I will meet you one day but not at a street corner selling drugs….but as a clean person………………”
I nodded in silence. I hope so. I hope Mr. L is moving ahead on the path of recovery.
But the images of this strange interaction which lasted for only about 15 minutes stay frozen in my mind.
I wonder where Mr. L is now. Did he go to the rehab? Did he move through the TC hierarchy with a mask or did he sincerely take part in the programme and take the benefit of whatever this intensive programme had to offer? What happened to his brothers? I don’t even know their names….but I cannot forget their helpless faces, pleading for some form of assistance from me and from anyone who could lift them up from the rut to which they have fallen into. (to be continued with M,N,O and P...)
On this particular day, at dusk, I was waiting outside a clinic in Male’ hoping to hail a taxi on the street, as the Taxi Centres were not answering their phones.
Mr. L, a young man of about 25 years was standing next to me, completely zapped out of his mind. Since I showed no fear of him and did not hesitate to stand close to him, I immediately sensed his discomfort and soon he demonstrated this by taking out a penknife and running its sharp edge on his arm, it did not bother me and I stood there undeterred by his attempt to scare me.
He received a call and advised who-ever was on the phone to come to the spot where we were. Mr. L then called up some others of his group and asked them to come to that same spot.
Within minutes, two guys came on a bike and another two guys came running from the other side of the street. One of the guys who ran across the street had a steel chain hanging from his belt and I saw the knife the second guy carried.
The two guys on the bike stopped close to where I was standing and I saw Mr. L hand over a small packet to one of the guys and say; “Now c’mon … the money”. Few crisp Rf 500 notes were given to two of the guys who ran, I could not hear what they muttered but in their dazed state they handed it back to Mr.L saying “That’s ours too !”.
The guy nodded as the two on the bike drove away.
At this point I interfered by saying, “But that’s so little money for all that heroin”. Immediately Mr. L took out the penknife and pointing it towards me said, “Dhatha, bunan….. nubehey kanthaka nubehey”(let me tell ya sister, mind your own business).
I smiled and said, ‘but it’s my business, you three are so zapped you all did not even count that money properly’. By now the other two guys who looked like the real gangsters approached me and said, “Ey faadu faadah aharun na nubeheythi ingey”
( don't interfere with us..)
I stopped them then and said, “your kind don’t scare me at all, so don’t bother to put fear in me, infact I feel so sad for the three of you, I wish I could help you…I want to help you, you and you. You see no one is helping you, neither your parents nor society but I wish I could help all three of you, who are so high on heroin and don’t even know what you people are doing”.
Mr. L then said to me, “Dhatha a keetha eyn…aharun nubomey fatheh….”(it's none of your business sister, we don't use drugs').
I looked at him and said, “ Ya,…..you three better go in for your next dose soon because it is becoming very apparent that time is up….”
One of the guys at that moment said, “Wait… who are you, what are you doing here any way?”
I told them my name and said that I needed a taxi to get home. All three of them recognised me from my name but not my face, and looking at me Mr. L said, “I will get a taxi for you….”
At this point I asked them, who they were. They said the three were brothers, one had already been to the Rehab and the other two did not believe they can ever benefit from rehabilitation. The guy who had been to the Rehab said, “I slipped soon after….i cannot ever recover ….”
Mr. L stood in the middle of the road for minutes trying to stop a taxi but no one stopped.
He came back and said, “You see even they will not stop, they all know who we are”.
As I nodded he said to me, “Life has no meaning except to use….and use again…tell me, do people with this ever recover any where in the world?”
I nodded. The three of them were looking at me in a strange way as I answered.
“Yes, they do. If you decide and sincerely put an effort, there is a chance, because even in Maldives there are people who have recovered or are in the recovery process, you can volunteer to go for rehabilitation before you get a criminal record, please volunteer and go for rehabilitation”.
At that moment Mr. L said, “Give me your phone number.”
I waved for a Taxi to go home. Mr. L ran to open the door for me.
He seems to be asking me something…begging, pleading, but I did not know what he was asking me so…..I went away to the comfort of my home.
Three days after the incident, Mr. L called me and said, “I have volunteered to go to the Rehab, the other two are still on the streets…they did not wish to come……tell me again, can I recover?”
What could I say? That I know the relapse rate is very high, recovery is a process, I personally had reservations about the effectiveness of the existing drug rehabilitation model followed at DRC, but accept it because we do not have the resources to offer anything better….how could I tell him all this…..or any of it ?....”
Instead I heard myself say, “Take one day at a time…I am glad you decided on this”
He said, “I will meet you one day but not at a street corner selling drugs….but as a clean person………………”
I nodded in silence. I hope so. I hope Mr. L is moving ahead on the path of recovery.
But the images of this strange interaction which lasted for only about 15 minutes stay frozen in my mind.
I wonder where Mr. L is now. Did he go to the rehab? Did he move through the TC hierarchy with a mask or did he sincerely take part in the programme and take the benefit of whatever this intensive programme had to offer? What happened to his brothers? I don’t even know their names….but I cannot forget their helpless faces, pleading for some form of assistance from me and from anyone who could lift them up from the rut to which they have fallen into. (to be continued with M,N,O and P...)
Friday, 2 January 2009
Let’s say I am the ‘round in the chain’!!!
For once I am smiling with pride today. I want to say hats off to our Police Commissioner, Ahmed Faseeh for everything he has expressed in this article (http://www.miadhu.com.mv/news.php?id=8907).
He had the guts to come to the public and say what he has said…what I hear is a plea…with an underlying message, ‘look these are the problems, and this is how we are handling them. ..now…this is how we can handle them differently to make a difference’
Some people may say he has not said anything new, but carefully read through these lines.
I believe through this interview he has outlined some of the core issues faced with policing the nation and also expressed the serious challenges they are faced with to bring law and order to the chaotic and violent society we are now forced to live in.
1.‘a large number of criminals are living in the mainstream society……..’
Well…well…we are aware of this. Some people have been given ‘maafu’ because they were well connected or because the number of letters of pleas from the parents touched the hearts of those who were/are governing or some just keep visiting the family members, or some are just not taken to the prison because they do not have enough space in the prison.
So, what can be done??? We heard a big cry by the NGO’s recently that those who have committed sexual abuse must not be released on parole. Very good. Who else must not be released?? Has the public made an outcry about anyone else who must not be brought back to society without serving their sentences? Drug dealers, pushers, drug smugglers must not be brought back, those who have committed extreme form of violent acts , those leading gang figures etc….I think its time for the public to make an outcry about who else must not be released to mainstream society without serving their sentences.
Please make a list (let’s flood the authorities with our lists!!!!) and hand over to the concerned people. This is how ordinary citizens can assist the PC and also the rest of the nation.
2.'there is a large number of criminals sentenced for various crimes but because of the limitations of the jail and necessary facilities their sentences are not being carried out ..’
Come on now, there are several islands, several empty buildings like in Gan Addu, and if these places are not appropriate (as the human rights issues will stem up), let us …everyone in the country donate one day of our salary, the wealthy businessmen can give in just a few percentages of one days income to the concerned authorities, or let those in the construction industry all unite and build prisons for free so that we can establish law and order,,,in this country. I am sure we, the people of Maldives will donate generously to build those prisons, if those who are making our lives into living hell can be taken to the jails (proper jails where they can also be rehabilitated) and told they must serve their sentences and that’s it.
3.‘... long duration in jail are free on the move and some of them do not hesitate to commit further crimes,, They do not fear about any additional punishment or sentence that will result from indulging in more crimes…’
For someone who has lost everything what more fear can exist? Especially if they know that they can come back to society when ever they want, commit more crimes and go back to the original sentences they had any way???
We have to make sure that these people are no longer ‘free on the move’ and make them realise that they cannot be ‘free on the move’.
4.'..Similarly those convicted of minor crimes are also going for serious crimes and the situation is worrisome. Many of these lesser criminals turn into larger criminals.. .’
In the olden days I use to hear stories’ baiskalu bathi nudhilaa dhevigen jalha lee….’ And in the jail they mingle with the hardcore criminals to return as ’ criminals who have graduated to perform larger crimes….’
So what do we need to do? How about tolerating the idea of decriminalising the addicts, lets send users for immediate and compulsory detoxification and if there is no space in the rehab, lets put them in a community rehab program , lets make it compulsory for them to attend NA meeting( eh eh….lets start NA meetings in the country….first!!!) Let’s think out of the matrix for those who commit minor offenses, let’s fine them, and let’s send them for fishing (compulsory) for a period of time. Let that be the compulsory community service?????….eh….lets…think differently and not criminalise these people let's do something to prevent people who committed minor crimes to interact with hard core criminals who infest the prison.
5.’these criminals are becoming more professional and they are well aware of new ways to evade a crime….’
Yeah. First they graduate, and then they get the masters and move up the ladder to get the highest degree….. Like anything else this is the logical development of professional growth. Today, they have proved their worth, they can either break or protect, they have made themselves indispensible….they have created job opportunities for themselves….oh yes…. (I will write about this later…)
If we are ignorant of all this, these professionals will take over…like they have now.
But perhaps it’s still not too late? Perhaps our collective intelligence and deep desire to bring peace and harmony to our little paradise can be too powerful for these professionals to take over the country? Perhaps?
6.' it is important to decide the duration of parole at the time of passing the sentence on the criminal…this system also clearly tells the criminal the maximum and minimum period he has to spend in jail and he has to accept it'
I hope the new parole board is listening!!!! Please do!!!
7. ‘…fact there are criminals who must serve their jail sentences….’
YES. THEY MUST ……….THEY MUST.
8.'Police is only one round in a chain involved in the huge task of preventing and reducing crime'
Yes .and who are the other rounds in this chain??? I hope the AG is listening , the parliamentarians , the political activists, the religious scholars, the policy makers of our nation are listening. I hope the NGO’s and every responsible citizen in the society is listening.
Now just do this simple exercise to find out who else forms the rounds of this chain.
Just point your 'shahaadhai ingili' towards your desktop. What do you see? One finger towards the desktop?? Look at the thumb ..taking god above as your witness look at the other three fingers….are they not pointing towards you??
He had the guts to come to the public and say what he has said…what I hear is a plea…with an underlying message, ‘look these are the problems, and this is how we are handling them. ..now…this is how we can handle them differently to make a difference’
Some people may say he has not said anything new, but carefully read through these lines.
I believe through this interview he has outlined some of the core issues faced with policing the nation and also expressed the serious challenges they are faced with to bring law and order to the chaotic and violent society we are now forced to live in.
1.‘a large number of criminals are living in the mainstream society……..’
Well…well…we are aware of this. Some people have been given ‘maafu’ because they were well connected or because the number of letters of pleas from the parents touched the hearts of those who were/are governing or some just keep visiting the family members, or some are just not taken to the prison because they do not have enough space in the prison.
So, what can be done??? We heard a big cry by the NGO’s recently that those who have committed sexual abuse must not be released on parole. Very good. Who else must not be released?? Has the public made an outcry about anyone else who must not be brought back to society without serving their sentences? Drug dealers, pushers, drug smugglers must not be brought back, those who have committed extreme form of violent acts , those leading gang figures etc….I think its time for the public to make an outcry about who else must not be released to mainstream society without serving their sentences.
Please make a list (let’s flood the authorities with our lists!!!!) and hand over to the concerned people. This is how ordinary citizens can assist the PC and also the rest of the nation.
2.'there is a large number of criminals sentenced for various crimes but because of the limitations of the jail and necessary facilities their sentences are not being carried out ..’
Come on now, there are several islands, several empty buildings like in Gan Addu, and if these places are not appropriate (as the human rights issues will stem up), let us …everyone in the country donate one day of our salary, the wealthy businessmen can give in just a few percentages of one days income to the concerned authorities, or let those in the construction industry all unite and build prisons for free so that we can establish law and order,,,in this country. I am sure we, the people of Maldives will donate generously to build those prisons, if those who are making our lives into living hell can be taken to the jails (proper jails where they can also be rehabilitated) and told they must serve their sentences and that’s it.
3.‘... long duration in jail are free on the move and some of them do not hesitate to commit further crimes,, They do not fear about any additional punishment or sentence that will result from indulging in more crimes…’
For someone who has lost everything what more fear can exist? Especially if they know that they can come back to society when ever they want, commit more crimes and go back to the original sentences they had any way???
We have to make sure that these people are no longer ‘free on the move’ and make them realise that they cannot be ‘free on the move’.
4.'..Similarly those convicted of minor crimes are also going for serious crimes and the situation is worrisome. Many of these lesser criminals turn into larger criminals.. .’
In the olden days I use to hear stories’ baiskalu bathi nudhilaa dhevigen jalha lee….’ And in the jail they mingle with the hardcore criminals to return as ’ criminals who have graduated to perform larger crimes….’
So what do we need to do? How about tolerating the idea of decriminalising the addicts, lets send users for immediate and compulsory detoxification and if there is no space in the rehab, lets put them in a community rehab program , lets make it compulsory for them to attend NA meeting( eh eh….lets start NA meetings in the country….first!!!) Let’s think out of the matrix for those who commit minor offenses, let’s fine them, and let’s send them for fishing (compulsory) for a period of time. Let that be the compulsory community service?????….eh….lets…think differently and not criminalise these people let's do something to prevent people who committed minor crimes to interact with hard core criminals who infest the prison.
5.’these criminals are becoming more professional and they are well aware of new ways to evade a crime….’
Yeah. First they graduate, and then they get the masters and move up the ladder to get the highest degree….. Like anything else this is the logical development of professional growth. Today, they have proved their worth, they can either break or protect, they have made themselves indispensible….they have created job opportunities for themselves….oh yes…. (I will write about this later…)
If we are ignorant of all this, these professionals will take over…like they have now.
But perhaps it’s still not too late? Perhaps our collective intelligence and deep desire to bring peace and harmony to our little paradise can be too powerful for these professionals to take over the country? Perhaps?
6.' it is important to decide the duration of parole at the time of passing the sentence on the criminal…this system also clearly tells the criminal the maximum and minimum period he has to spend in jail and he has to accept it'
I hope the new parole board is listening!!!! Please do!!!
7. ‘…fact there are criminals who must serve their jail sentences….’
YES. THEY MUST ……….THEY MUST.
8.'Police is only one round in a chain involved in the huge task of preventing and reducing crime'
Yes .and who are the other rounds in this chain??? I hope the AG is listening , the parliamentarians , the political activists, the religious scholars, the policy makers of our nation are listening. I hope the NGO’s and every responsible citizen in the society is listening.
Now just do this simple exercise to find out who else forms the rounds of this chain.
Just point your 'shahaadhai ingili' towards your desktop. What do you see? One finger towards the desktop?? Look at the thumb ..taking god above as your witness look at the other three fingers….are they not pointing towards you??
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