Haiti’s Overcrowded Prisons in Deadly Humanitarian Crisis

Fifty-two prisoners died in Haiti’s overcrowded prisons between July and September this year in conditions described by the United Nations as “inhuman and degrading.”

Most of the deaths occurred due to lack of medical care, unsanitary cells, insufficient food, and limited access to drinking water, according to the latest UN human rights report on the Caribbean nation.

Haiti is facing a severe humanitarian, political, and security crisis driven by widespread gang violence, entrenched poverty, and recurring natural disasters, including the recent impact of Hurricane Melissa.

The justice system has been unable to function effectively amid these conditions. Court cases are moving slowly, and 82 per cent of prisoners are being held in detention while they await trial.

Prisons under pressure

At the end of September this year, more than 7,200 men, women, and children were being held in Haitian prisons. Convicted prisoners are frequently kept alongside detainees awaiting trial, while children are often detained with adults, violating international standards such as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Gang occupation of areas surrounding several prisons, along with high-profile jailbreaks led by gang members, has further reduced the State’s ability to manage its detention system. Some facilities currently hold at least three times their intended capacity.

Subhuman conditions

According to William O’Neill, the UN Designated Expert on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti, conditions in many facilities are “subhuman.” He describes them as unbearably crowded and hot, with severe shortages of food, medical care, clean water, and ventilation. Prisoners spend long hours confined in dark, airless cells with limited access to toilets and showers.

Fifty-two detainees have died in the last three months, many from preventable diseases. O’Neill noted that malnutrition and dehydration have left many so weakened that otherwise treatable illnesses become fatal. Although the penal system has a budget for prisoner meals, funds are often diverted through corruption.

Pre-trial detention crisis

The deadly overcrowding is largely driven by excessive pre-trial detention. In Haiti, 82 per cent of prisoners have not yet been tried and are legally presumed innocent.

One detainee told O’Neill he had been awaiting a trial date for two years after being accused of stealing two pairs of shoes. Police often arrest large groups of people at alleged crime scenes, leading to mass detentions of individuals who may have no connection to the incident.

Impact of gang control

Gang violence in Port-au-Prince, where armed groups control as much as 90 per cent of the city, has forced many courts to close. In March 2024, gangs attacked the capital’s two largest prisons, allowing 4,600 inmates to escape, including several prominent gang leaders. Many of those escapees are believed to have joined gang ranks, further escalating insecurity.

Efforts toward reform

The UN political mission in Haiti (BINUH), the UN Human Rights Office, and the UN Designated Expert have prioritized prison reform as part of a broader effort to strengthen the rule of law. Initiatives include enabling judges and prosecutors to conduct hearings inside prisons, which has led to reduced pre-trial detention in some cases. Training has also been provided for police and prison personnel, while rehabilitation works have improved access to water, sanitation, and ventilation in some facilities.

However, the UN stresses that long-term improvement depends on Haiti’s Ministry of Justice implementing systemic reforms. According to O’Neill, the UN can support with expertise and resources, but “there must be measurable and sustainable results, not just ongoing training and equipment.”