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Since September 9, inmates at the Bellavista National Prison, located in Bello, Antioquia, will begin an indefinite hunger strike in protest of poor food and medical care conditions.
The families of the prisoners will also join the protests with a sit-in planned for this Monday at 9 a.m. in front of the prison.
In a statement issued by the National Prison Movement, prisoners have denounced the deplorable quality of the food provided, which has led to gastrointestinal illnesses and severe malnutrition. A recent case exemplifies this situation: in August, authorities found more than a ton and a half of rotting meat in the prison.
The report also points to serious deficiencies in medical care. Inmates claim that doctors lack the necessary supplies and medicines to treat the sick. The lack of resources is so critical that even dentists have had to organize collections to acquire the necessary implements, because the entity in charge of supplying these materials has not done so.
The prisoners have taken this extreme measure as a last resort to deal with the non-compliance by the companies contracted by the USPEC to manage the services within the prison. The strike is also a response to the lack of response to numerous legal actions filed by the inmates.
Public Order
The statement also reveals that prison authorities have been limiting the participation of the Food Supply Monitoring Committee and have imposed restrictions on inmates’ freedom to report irregularities in food handling. Inmates say they have been threatened with transfers to remote locations in the country to silence them.
In response to the crisis, the inmates are demanding an urgent meeting that includes the companies responsible for food and medical care, as well as the management of USPEC, the Attorney General’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, and human rights defenders. This meeting aims to address the serious problems that have led the inmates to this desperate measure of protest.
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The post Hunger strike in Bellavista prison: Inmates complain of poor food and lack of medical care appeared first on Minuto30.
2024-09-09 01:58:31
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What are the main reasons behind the hunger strike initiated by inmates in Bellavista National Prison?
Table of Contents
Prison Crisis: Hunger Strike in Bellavista Prison Highlights Deplorable Conditions
In a desperate bid to draw attention to the appalling conditions in Bellavista National Prison, inmates in Bello, Antioquia, have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike, protesting the subpar food quality and lack of medical care. The strike, which began on September 9, is a last resort for the prisoners, who have been met with indifference by the authorities despite numerous legal actions.
Subpar Food Quality and Malnutrition
The prisoners’ grievances are rooted in the deplorable quality of the food provided, which has led to gastrointestinal illnesses and severe malnutrition. A staggering example of this is the discovery of over a ton and a half of rotting meat in the prison in August. The authorities’ failure to address this issue has pushed the inmates to take drastic action.
Lack of Medical Care and Resources
The inmates are also decrying the serious deficiencies in medical care within the prison. Doctors lack essential supplies and medicines to treat the sick, and even dentists have had to resort to collecting donations to acquire the necessary equipment. This critical lack of resources has put the health and well-being of the prisoners at risk.
Restrictions and Intimidation
Prison authorities have been accused of limiting the participation of the Food Supply Monitoring Committee and imposing restrictions on inmates’ freedom to report irregularities in food handling. Those who have spoken out have been threatened with transfers to remote locations in the country, a clear attempt to silence them.
Calls for Urgent Meeting
In response to the crisis, the inmates are demanding an urgent meeting that includes the companies responsible for food and medical care. This meeting is crucial in addressing the systemic problems plaguing the prison and ensuring that the inmates receive the basic necessities they deserve.
International Concerns
The situation in Bellavista National Prison is not an isolated incident. In Ecuador, a recent prison riot that left at least 44 inmates dead [[3]]has highlighted the structural problems plaguing the country’s prison system. Amnesty International has called on the government to address these issues, stating that imprisonment in Ecuador is “almost a death sentence” [[3]]. Similarly, a riot in a jail in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, left 43 inmates dead in May 2022 [[1]].
Conclusion
The hunger strike in Bellavista National Prison is a desperate cry for help from inmates who have been subjected to inhumane conditions. It is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address the prisoners’ grievances and ensure that they receive the basic necessities of life. The international community must also pay attention to the systemic problems plaguing prisons in countries like Ecuador, where the situation is equally dire.
Prison Crisis: Hunger Strike in Bellavista Prison Highlights Deplorable Conditions
In a desperate bid to draw attention to the appalling conditions in Bellavista National Prison, inmates in Bello, Antioquia, have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike, protesting the subpar food quality and lack of medical care. The strike, which began on September 9, is a last resort for the prisoners, who have been met with indifference by the authorities despite numerous legal actions.
Subpar Food Quality and Malnutrition
The prisoners’ grievances are rooted in the deplorable quality of the food provided, which has led to gastrointestinal illnesses and severe malnutrition. A staggering example of this is the discovery of over a ton and a half of rotting meat in the prison in August. The authorities’ failure to address this issue has pushed the inmates to take drastic action.
Lack of Medical Care and Resources
The inmates are also decrying the serious deficiencies in medical care within the prison. Doctors lack essential supplies and medicines to treat the sick, and even dentists have had to resort to collecting donations to acquire the necessary equipment. This critical lack of resources has put the health and well-being of the prisoners at risk.
Restrictions and Intimidation
Prison authorities have been accused of limiting the participation of the Food Supply Monitoring Committee and imposing restrictions on inmates’ freedom to report irregularities in food handling. Those who have spoken out have been threatened with transfers to remote locations in the country, a clear attempt to silence them.
Calls for Urgent Meeting
In response to the crisis, the inmates are demanding an urgent meeting that includes the companies responsible for food and medical care. This meeting is crucial in addressing the systemic problems
