The Mandela Foundation for the Care of Prisoners and Detainees Affairs revealed that the Israeli Prisons Administration controls the allocations of the canteen transferred by the Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs in Gilboa Prison, according to a very high price, in addition to preventing them from buying many of their needs.
During the visit of attorney Buthaina Duqmaq to Gilboa prison, she met the prisoner Bashar Al-Khatib and the captive Wajdi Athamneh, who complained about the policy that the administration controls their allocations and purchases from the canteen, which prevents them from benefiting from it according to their needs and requirements.
The prisoners informed Duqmaq that the administration does not allow them the freedom to choose and buy from the canteen, even for some permissible purposes, such as shaving paste, although it is available for civilians, but it is subject to the security classification. The needs of the prisoners, which are their right.
The prisoners complained about the high prices, which deprives them of the freedom to purchase according to the allocations that are disbursed to them, pointing out that the administration forces families to buy one type of shoes, the cost of which is 450 shekels.
Daqmaq reports that a state of indignation and anger prevails among the prisoners after the Ministry of Prisoners Affairs informed them of the loss of the case, which was filed to demand their right to take the high school exam in prison, demanding that the case be pursued again and allow them to continue their studies and to cancel the Israeli restrictions and conditions, which they described as difficult and harsh, which aim to deprive them of The right to study.
She met the prisoner Daqmaq and Wajdi Athamneh from Gaza, who expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the lack of attention and follow-up to the issues and files of the prisoners of the Strip, their concerns and problems, in addition to the conditions of their detention.
He said, “He was wounded during the confrontations after the division with bullets from groups affiliated with the “Hamas” movement in the left side of Yamna, and due to the deterioration of his health, he was coordinated to travel to Ramallah for treatment.”
He added, “When I arrived at the Erez crossing after coordination, I and the mother of Hazem Al-Shobaki, the wife of the prisoner Fouad Al-Shobaki, may God have mercy on her, were two days at the crossing. My brothers were with me, one of whom has been detained for 4 years in the Gaza prison of Hamas, and Bilal was acquitted a week ago, and my brother Wael In Cairo, as for me, the occupation forces arrested me.”
Athamneh stated that immediately after his arrest, he was taken to interrogation and subjected to harsh torture conditions on charges of his activism and resistance to the occupation, which lasted for 22 days. I was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Multiple problems
Lawyer Daqmaq met the prisoner Bashar al-Khatib from Jerusalem, who has been detained since April 10, 2002 and is serving a 15-year prison sentence. The prisoners face many problems, especially the health status and health care, which revolves around an illogical delay in providing it.
Al-Maqdisi confirmed that the meals distributed by the administration to the prisoners are poor in quantity and quality, which forces them to rely on the canteen.
He demanded attention to provide suitable books for the prisoners, after the administration recently allowed each prisoner to bring in two books once a month, and considered this an achievement.