7 May 2008
Maputo — Twenty two inmates died in the Chimoio Agricultural Penitentiary, in the central Mozambican province of Manica, over the last four months, according to a report in Wednesday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias".
The prison currently holds 991 inmates. 2.2 per cent of them had died in the four month period - which translates to an annual death rate of over 6.5 per cent.
The prison director, Francisco Mathe, told the Manica provincial governor, Mauricio Vieira, who was on a working visit to the prison, that this shocking death rate was due to disease. He claimed that the inmates had died of such illnesses as malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS.
Among the dead inmates, two are said to have committed suicide, but no further details were given.
Mathe added that, at any one time, about 50 prisoners, suffering from various diseases, are undergoing treatment at the local health post. He said that the high rate of HIV infection in the prison is thought to be the main cause of the growing number of deaths.
However, Vieira expressed satisfaction with the level of organization and hygiene in the prison, and the work done by the prisoners, who are producing bricks for the building of new houses for the prison workers.
He also was happy about classes being offered to the prisoners at primary and secondary levels.
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