Ildephonse Sindayigaya

Rights of infants in prison with their mothers in Burundi Ildephonse Sindayigaya

A pregnant or breastfeeding woman is imprisoned if she is accused of a criminal act or deed. In Burundi, if the child is not older than 3 years, it is in the best interests of the child to remain with the mother in prison. Prison is used as a place of accommodation and not as a place of detention for the child. In accordance with the provisions of international and domestic legal instruments, the child may leave the prison and enter it as he or she wishes, accompanied by prison social workers. Pre- and post-natal care must be provided both inside and outside prison. Births should take place in hospitals. However, this is not always respected, as in the case of Mpimba. The health of these children, as well as that of infants, is ensured by the health centres set up in the central prisons and are referred to nearby hospitals when necessary. It has been noted that the food provided from the State subsidy budget does not meet the health requirements of infants. The clothing of the babies is left to the imprisoned mothers who have no income. The state does not even provide them with the beauty oil they need for their body health.