In Prison

Yesterday we went to visit a young person from the community who is in prison awaiting trial. I have never been to prison before, so I do not know what they are normally like. I found the experience daunting.

We were led, with his mother, to the entrance where we were searched and had to show our passports. From there we were taken into a large cell with long benches and tables where prisoners were sitting opposite their visitors. Prisoners seemed to be allowed to roam around in the cell with us, and we heard later that an earlier visit by members of Hands of Mercy had been quite scary when the visitors were surrounded and questioned as to why they were there.

The person we had come to visit was led into the cell. He looked very young, having just turned 18 he had just been transferred to this adult jail, but he looked a lot younger. He also looked quite scared - and we soon saw why: his mother slipped him his protection money to stop him being beaten up. It was distressing to imagine all that he, and other prisoners, go through.

We talked to our prisoner and tried to encourage him, and his mother. We later gave her some money for his food and his needs. We hoped that we had given some support by our presence and we shall try and support the family.

On the way out we visited the juvenile cell and the women's cell. Here Hands of Mercy are able to lead small groups to encourage the prisoners, and to bring food for them. The cells here were like you see on US films, with the front of the cell made up of thick iron bars, and the whole of the cell visible to outsiders. In the juvenile cell there were three teenagers aged about 14 awaiting trial. One had been there for about six months. We were able to talk to the prisoners for a short while and try to encourage them.

As we stepped outside into the Manila hot sunshine, it was upsetting to think of the prisoners behind us who wouldn't be seeing the sun for a long, long time.