This was confirmed by an independent NGO active in Moldova who praised the staff in the prison for their sensitive handling of the inmates. However, that is where the good news ends. The only change, as far as we could judge, was the ongoing replacement of the wooden shutters that act as cell windows by glass and metal grids. Prisoners often stay in bed all day for this reason as much as any other. Needless to say, hygiene and sanitary conditions are poor.
Dirty sheeting is hung up in an attempt to provide privacy.
Another young girl s teeth had fallen out during her time in custody. What compounds the agony for these people is that they can be on remand for anything up to 6 years. In this cell there were women who had been in custody for one, two and in one case, three years. Although they are allowed food parcels few receive them and many do not receive the weekly visit allowed by the law. The men s accommodation is no better.