Elizabeth Mosima
13 March 2009
A new structure will soon be added to the Yaounde Central Prison. The association "Relais Enfants Parents Cameroon" (REPCAM) will construct a visiting room in the prison. The foundation stone will be laid on Sunday, March 8 in the Kondengui prison. The laying of the foundation stone is in line with the activities to mark the 24th International Women's Day. The revelation was made during a press briefing at the headquarters of the association in Yaounde last Wednesday.
Actually, in Cameroon, many children are unable to visit their mothers in prisons due to lack of money and especially due to geographical distances as some children are sent to live in the villages in the absence of their mothers.
As a result, the future of the children is at stake as they are exposed to societal ills. It is for this reason that REPCAM has opted to construct a befitting structure to give children the chance to meet their mothers in prison. The hall will occupy an area of 50sqm, it will comprise a hall, kitchen, toilet, and an office for two social workers.
According to the President of REPCAM, Claire Mimboe Ndi-Samba, visits to the prison will be on a daily basis. "A woman who is in prison is supposed to receive her child in good condition and within a period of two to three hours", she said.
She explained that work is expected to be completed in November this year. Journalists sought to know whether the project will extend to other prisons in the country. To this, Claire Ndi-Samba said the Yaounde Central Prison and the Mfou Principal Prison have been chosen for a trial. She said REPCAM intends to extend to all the 72 prisons in the country pending authorisation from the Ministry of Justice.
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