21521: Esser: Military repairs prison in Port-au-Prince (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx @joimail.com

dcmilitary*com
http://www.dcmilitary.com

April 23, 2004

CJTF-Haiti helps clean up streets by repairing prison

by Sgt. Ryan Scranton
MCB Camp Lejeune

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- The nation's largest prison was symbolically
reopened here recently when Leon Charles, director general of the
Haitian National Police and Brigadier Gen. Ronald S. Coleman,
commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Haiti toured the facility upon
completion of its refurbishment.

The prison, which was heavily damaged during the civil unrest,
underwent more than $40 thousand worth of renovations, fixing
problems ranging from plumbing and electrical work to the roof. The
work was done by Haitian laborers under a contract with CJTF-Haiti.

"The work we did was requested by the Haitian national government,"
Coleman said. "And there was no better place to start than the
largest prison in the country."

The prison, which held approximately 1,500 occupants, was a top
priority for both the Haitian government and the task force,
according to Coleman.

"This project will greatly facilitate the accomplishment of our
mission, which is to provide safety and security to the nation,"
Coleman explained.

"When [the HNP] would take criminals off the streets, they would have
nowhere to put them," he continued. "Now they do."

When asked about the numerous other prisons in need of repair
throughout the country Coleman said, "when you count to ten you start
with the number one, and this is the biggest one in the country. It's
a tremendous start."

Among the many improvements to the facility, the most noticeable was
the removal of debris, according to Cdr. Brad A. Steele, liaison
officer between the HNP and CJTF-Haiti.

"There was trash stacked up six feet high in some areas of the
prison," Steele explained, "It was a real sanitation issue."

Other projects included the rewiring of the electricity in the
facility and fixing plumbing needs such as the repair of toilets,
sinks and showers, as well as restoration of the roof.

"It's amazing how much has been accomplished in such a short period
of time," Coleman stated.

Other aspects of the prison were also revamped.

Nearly 30 doors throughout the prison were repaired or replaced and
modifications were made to the facility's medical clinic. There were
also repairs made to more than 30 of the kitchen's burner units.

"The improvements were very significant," Steele said. "There was
rotting food in the kitchen, trash everywhere, disease-breeding water
flowing through the prison; a real mess."

In less than four weeks, the prison has been returned to its previous
standards, according to Steele.

"Now they have showers and toilets," he explained, "and the clinic
and kitchen facilities are usable again."

The overhauled prison is another step in establishing a more
professional look for the newly reorganized HNP, which was plagued
with corruption before Charles was appointed to head-up the force.

"The prison refurbishing is just another step in building the
relationship between the Haitian people and the HNP," Steele said

"It lets them know that the new force is a different force, it's one
that should be respected, but not feared."
.