VZCZCXRO6769
RR RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #0553/01 0991843
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081843Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8032
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 1877
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 0144
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1677
RUEHQU/AMCONSUL QUEBEC 1101
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1490

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000553 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR 
INL FOR D STOLWORTHY, K BROWN, AND A YOUNG 
S/CRS 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR 
INR/IAA 
WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM HA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES HAITIAN PRISON CONDITIONS 
WITH NATIONAL DIRECTOR 
 
PORT AU PR 00000553  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Ambassador Sanderson met with HNP Director of 
Prison Administration Celestin on April 4.  They discussed 
current prison conditions, plans for facility construction 
and renovation, staffing gaps, USG assistance and the major 
problems facing the Haitian corrections system.  He is 
appreciative of the recent attention and assistance given to 
the corrections system's needs, as it provides hope for major 
improvements in the next five years.  He also acknowledged 
the problems faced by the prison system, which are 
exacerbated by a dysfunctional judicial system.  End summary. 
 
 
¶2.  On April 4 Ambassador Sanderson met with the Director of 
the Haitian National Prison Administration (DAP), Jean Roland 
Previlon Celestin, to discuss prison conditions, Government 
of Haiti (GOH) plans for prison construction and staffing, 
and on-going and future U.S. assistance to the DAP.  Director 
Celestin opened the meeting by thanking the USG for its 
recent increased support to corrections reforms, particularly 
the projects to renovate the infirmary, sanitation system and 
kitchen at the men's prison and by acknowledging the many 
problems facing the Haitian prison system.  Q identified 
overcrowding, and lack of sanitation, rehabilitation and 
education as the biggest problems to be addressed. 
 
¶3.  The Director addressed a variety of general prison system 
issues, as well as specific initiatives.  He believes that 
the number of prisoners is very low for the size of the 
general Haitian population and crime trends and shares the 
Haitian National Police's (HNP) frustration with early 
releases and the inability to hold prisoners due to lack of 
space.  He commented that, along with work on the corrections 
system, judicial reforms are vital to address this issue.  He 
hoped the newly-established Magistrates School may help. 
Currently over 85% of the prisoners in custody are in 
pre-trial detention.  He noted that Haiti currently violates 
international standards and human rights in reference to the 
space per prisoner, at just .67 square meters instead of four 
square meters, a situation he knows must be addressed.  He 
outlined plans to improve or construct prison facilities 
outside Port au Prince, including in St. Marc and then in 
Gonaives (where the prison was destroyed in 2004).  He 
believes that 90% of facility needs can be addressed in five 
years, especially now that the international donors and UNDP 
are more focused on correctional needs. 
¶4.  Director Celestin stated that the GOH has decided to 
construct a new prison complex in Morne Cabrit, east of Port 
au Prince, that will contain separate facilities for men, 
women, male juveniles and female juveniles.  The Ambassador 
renewed the USG offer of support in addressing conditions at 
the women's prison or construction of a new facility.  She 
also asked about plans to remodel an unused psychiatric 
hospital for use as a men's facility and any plans for the 
male juvenile facility in Delmas 33.  The Director confirmed 
that the Ministry of Finance has been asked to acquire the 
hospital for that purpose, at which time renovations will 
move forward.  The Ambassador reiterated our offer to assist 
in that project as well, for which the NAS Corrections 
Advisor has been instrumental in developing plans.  Celestin 
summarized some of the programs ongoing in the juvenile 
facility, including the recent inauguration of a small 
library.  (Note: Most of those improvements have been funded 
and implemented by an affluent Haitian businesswoman who has 
"adopted" the facility.  NAS is currently working to plan a 
recreation yard and dining hall renovation project there. 
End Note.) 
 
¶5.  Regarding personnel, Celestin discussed the critical need 
for trained corrections officers, as the current ratio is 
just one officer per 100 detainees. (Note: Approximately 250 
corrections officers will graduate from the National Police 
Academy in early May - prisons are under the HNP.  End note.) 
 Recruitment has been completed to form a second vetted cadet 
class.  Canada and the U.S. are providing support to those 
classes.  He also stated that officers accused of abuses are 
referred to the Inspector General and disciplined.  For 
example, one officer is currently serving time for beating a 
 
PORT AU PR 00000553  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
female prisoner.  In addition to improvements in staffing, he 
has improved provision of food and water and is working to 
expand health services and hire more qualified health care 
workers.  He acknowledged that there is a problem with the 
primary DAP medical officer, who has been receiving payment 
for two full-time positions while devoting very little time 
to prison health needs. 
 
¶6.  On a more philosophical note, Celestin stated that how a 
country treats its prisoners is an indicator of democracy, 
and that, to ensure stability, Haiti needs a fair judicial 
system that incarcerates those who deserve it and deals 
expeditiously with those who do not.  He sees himself and his 
staff within the prison system as public servants who must 
serve the people, that human rights must be respected and 
corruption will not be tolerated.  He is proud of his 
training by the U.S. in 1998 as an HNP officer (his personal 
rank is Commissar) and he has been working in the DAP since 
that time.  He holds the U.S., Canadian and French prison 
systems up as the models to strive to emulate in his efforts 
to modernize Haiti's corrections system and its treatment of 
detainees. 
SANDERSON