Inmates at Zambia's Isoka State prisons denied food, ARVs, tortured by prisons authorities

The Human Rights Commission in Zambia is appalled by the manner inmates, especially those on remand at Isoka Prison are being treated by the prison authorities as well as fellow inmates.

Commission Spokesperson Samuel Kasankha says during its continued tour of police and prison cells in Northern and Muchinga Provinces, the Commission visited Isoka Prison on Sunday 18 August, 2013 were it was discovered that authorities have resorted to treating suspects in cruel, inhuman and degrading manner, contrary to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of Prisoners, the Prisoners Act, which outlaws corporal punishment and the republican constitution.

Mr Kansakha in tells QFM News in a statement that the ill treatment of prisoners at Isoka prison follows a break out where a number of inmates escaped on 8th August,2013.

He says at the time of the HRC inspection male suspects appealed to the Commission for protection claiming they would be treated harshly after the Commission had left.

Mr Kasankha adds that the inmates complained to the Commission that they are locked up in the cells even during the day and that some named officers, including the Officer-in-Charge, subject them to beatings every day using whips made out of motor vehicle tyres.

He says a number of inmates had visible scars while others had fresh wounds sustained from the beatings.

Mr Kasankha further reveals that inmates are denied visits by relatives, which has resulted in those who have been granted bail by the courts to fail to communicate with relatives so that sureties could sign them out.

He says what is equally disheartening to the Human Rights Commission are the levels of ignorance of the law shown by some officers who argued that they had the right to beat the suspects when they committed offences.

Mr Kasankha says the Commission is calling upon the Prisons Service to urgently follow up this matter and restore order at Isoka Prison.

The Commission has further recommended that the Officer-in-Charge and the other officers named be removed to prevent further torture of suspects.

And recently, the Zambian High Court directed the State to ensure that the officer-in-charge at Lusaka Central Prison testifies in a matter in which prisoners have sued the State for poor nutrition.

This is in a matter in which inmates at Lusaka Central Prison, also known as Chimbokaila, have petitioned the State against non-availability of a balanced diet and medication for prisoners living with HIV.

When the matter came up for continued trial before High Court judge Jane Kabuka, a witness said people receiving anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy treatment need a balanced diet to reduce the side-effects of the drugs.

Public health specialist Canisius Banda said good nutrition is important in improving immunity and that a balanced diet is one way of achieving this.

Dr Banda said it is important for anyone responsible for people on treatment for AIDS to ensure that they provide adequate food.

He said people have different nutritional needs which should be properly identified to ensure that their bodies function properly.

Dr Banda said ARVs are very strong drugs which should be taken with enough food for the proper functioning of the drugs and keeping side effects under control.
“Nutrition security should be attained as this allows the body to improve its immunity and eliminate the virus on its own. For those taking medication, success rates are enhanced with good nutrition,” Dr Banda said.

He said a person on ARV treatment can die from side effects such as anemia if they are not properly fed.

The State failed to bring their witness, the officer-in- charge of Lusaka Central Prison to testify in the matter.

Justice Kabuka said this was the last time the State would seek an adjournment because notices of service were issued in March.

She said the witness should come to court in the next sitting.
Prisoners at Lusaka Central Prisons have petitioned the Attorney-General, alleging that they are not accessing ARV medication and that they are not given a balanced diet. DoreenNawa/Zambia Daily Mail