A delegation from the Wolesi Jirga, the Afghan house of representatives, visited the Pul-e-Charkhi prison and other prisons in Kabul and determined the situation in the prisons is "terrible".

The delegation report indicates the following serious issues:

• Drug trafficking in prisons
• Addiction of female and child prisoners to drugs
• Promotion of moral corruption among female and child prisoners
• Taking of bribes from prisoners in exchange for placement on early-release lists.

The three-member delegation from the house of representatives was appointed recently after concerns were raised about the poor condition of the detainees.

"About $ 1 million worth of drugs are imported in a month, and there is a huge illicit trade," said Shahpoor Hassanzoi, head of the investigating delegation.

In their report, the delegation raised fifteen serious problems, including the taking of bribes to put prisoners on various lists slated for release, and the existence of moral corruption and the sale of drugs.

"Thr sale of sleeping beds and phones to prisoners, and prostitution involving minors and females prisoners" were some of the issues raised according to Semin Barkazi, a member of the delegation.

"Failure to release a number of prisoners who have completed their term of imprisonment or who have an incurable disease or who are old-aged ," is another problem, said Naeem Wardak, another member of the delegation.

The government recently set up an organization called the "general directorate of prisons" and officials at the directorate admit there are problems in the prisons, and talk about the challenges.

"Preliminary investigations by our department show that a number of prison staff are unfortunately involved in drug selling," said Farhad Baayani, a spokesman for the general directorate of prisons.

Members of the house of representatives say prisoners should not be mistreated, and those who have so far acted against the law should be prosecuted by the judiciary.

SOURCE: Tolonews

LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/16229

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