Comment On South African Prison (Press, 27 March 1969)
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Summary: Comment On South African Prison (Press, 27 March 1969)
On 27 March 1969, Mr M. O’Neill, the secretary of the Christchurch branch of Amnesty International, highlighted the dire conditions faced by political prisoners at Robben Island, South Africa, following a speech by former prisoner Mr D. Brutus at the University of Canterbury. O’Neill reported that prisoners who voiced complaints to the Chief Warder or sought legal assistance were punished by being placed in isolation. He pointed out that inmates were not allowed access to prison regulations and revealed that during visits by G. Hoffman of the International Red Cross, prisoners were temporarily provided with better clothing and clean blankets, which were later taken away. The living conditions were described as overcrowded, with cells originally designed for 50 prisoners being crammed with over 80 individuals. O’Neill noted that only two rolls of toilet paper were allocated weekly for two flush toilets shared amongst the occupants, and the toilets were visible to other cellmates. The drinking water quality was poor, described as brackish, and the medical treatment available was insufficient, often administered by untrained orderlies. Prisoners' opportunities for study were at the discretion of the Chief Warder, who frequently discouraged educational pursuits. O'Neill mentioned an affidavit from a recently released prisoner stating that warders, armed with batons and pick handles, enforced control and that any complaints directed to the Chief Warder often resulted in retaliatory punishment. Additionally, he claimed that, with the complicity of the warders, homosexual inmates frequently targeted the younger political prisoners for attacks.
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