I nonetheless passed on this request to the Superintendent in charge.
The English speaker I interviewed complained that he had outgoing mail returned, which is obviously due to censorship.
My visit coincided with an official visiting day and I have been informed that all detainees make use of the privilege. They are, therefore, regularly in touch with the outside world and visits take place in private although a couple of guards are naturally in sight.
Conditions have obviously improved since my first visit which is no doubt also due to the fact that there are less than half of the original number of detainees, and I dare say that with the completion of Block 'C' the standard of detention will be more than in line with accepted practices.
I also
took the opportunity to contact the Commissioner of Prisons and I refer you in this connection to my report of May 1st. At that time 821 convicted prisoners were held as a result of the 1967 disturbances and the present number is 350 of which 23 are female. Since quite a number will be released during the next few months up to two years, the expected number of prisoners in connection with the disturbances will be:
1969
210
of which 13 females
1970
1971
54
of which 5 females
32
of which 2 females
.
As far as I know, there are only three very long term prisoners.
I am submitting a copy of this report to the Colonial Secretariat to make discreet use of it particularly in connection with the enquiry from a Member of Parliament, and you, in turn, may mention in one of your Press Releases that I have once again been allowed to visit the detainees and speak to them in private.
c.c.
Colonial Secretariat.
"
Yours faithfully,
H. HEFTI