Being in prison is a life-changing experience. Even if a prisoner is convicted for a crime that they have committed, being confined for such an extensive period of time is in itself an ordeal. While prison is said to provide some people with a second chance to start over, others are too old, too sick or just too scared to start again. Even if they were willing and able, what could they really do with this second chance? How do we ensure that these prisoners have actually changed and that they have a fair opportunity in life? And what is the role of the government and society in all of this? “First of all, it’s important to know that legally, the government is not obliged to provide prisoners with anything after they serve their time. We are not responsible for helping them find a job, a place to live or anything. We only ask them to come to the station once or twice a week to see how they are doing,” says a high-ranking officer in the Egyptian prison system who asked not to be named. “It is too expensive to…
Egypt’s Prisons: Tales of Wasted Lives and Lost Dreams Behind Bars and Beyond
November 29, 2015
