Prisons the world over are notorious for their endemic sexual abuse. Despite this, prisoner rape is not well-understood and does not receive the serious attention it warrants.
More often than not, the discussion around prison rape is pushed under the rug, as if it is taboo. The situation in Namibia is no different.
But amid concerted nationwide efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS scourge, a glaring issue looms large – the prevalence of this disease within prisons and holding cells.
Breaking silence
A formerly incarcerated man, who prefers being identified as ‘Simon’, recently shared his harrowing ordeal behind bars, and the grim underbelly of the prison system.
Simon had gained notoriety in the heart of Windhoek’s Katutura township for his criminal exploits as a notorious hoodlum.
It was not until recently, while serving a murder sentence, that he was introduced into a world he describes as the “dark” side of prison.
“I have been a ‘jita’. You can ask everyone in the location. They know me,” a boastful Simon said, setting the tone for the discussion.
But his sheer bravado quickly vanished into thin air when he recounted his initiation into the darker aspects of prison life.
He said joining a prison gang was his survival strategy.
“I didn’t want to be bullied like a woman,” he said.
He was wrong.
The initiation into being part of a gang, however, took a “traumatic and unthinkable” turn.
Sex for survival
As he delves deeper into the sensitive subject, it becomes apparent that instances of sexual transactions – where favours, protection or goods are traded for sexual acts – are a commonality, shedding light on the complex power dynamics within the correctional system.
“One night, this nig**a woke me up. I knew what he wanted,” narrated Simon, with forced courage.
“I went into the toilet and eish… I gave it, brah [had anal sex],” said Simon.
His decision was premised on survival rather than consent.
Amidst the nightly acts, Simon revealed that it is taboo to intervene or report such incidents due to the inherent dangers involved.
“Prison life is not a joke. I never knew something like that would ever happen to me”.
He admitted to having sex in prison more than once.
First, it was for his own protection. Hunger pushed him into it the second time.
“This other time it was because of food. Those people with chronic diseases get proper food,” he shyly giggled.
He said inmates on various medical treatments receive “better food”, a circumstance which can be exploited to entice others into engaging in sexual activities.
The better food Simon is referring to is an apple and a glass of milk.
“Food is like a currency,” he stated emphatically.
Similar to numerous other prisoners who have become victims of such acts, Simon said it could also result from intense manipulation aimed at acquiring drugs and toiletries.
In some rare cases, it stems from pure sexual desire.
Based on his observation, the prevailing factor often revolves around blackmail, and the exploitation of those perceived as vulnerable.
“If you look feminine, too shy, or physically weak, you are likely to be a target. Also, you don’t want to ask for favours in prison; you will pay for it,” he stressed.
Simon said he did not report the matter due to fear and the power dynamics governing prison gangs.
Retaliation
It becomes even scarier as Simon continues.
“You will die if you snitch. They are highly connected; always in contact with officers and outsiders,” said Simon, as fear can easily be deduced from his eyes.
New Era also spoke to another former inmate who has witnessed sexual activities amongst prisoners.
“If you happen to be a victim, just be a man and let go [give in]. As a man, you would not even want to talk about it because people won’t see you as man enough,” he said on condition of anonymity.
According to him, the majority of these gang members are those serving long sentences like life imprisonment, or high-profile criminals.
Prison life, to him, is like a jungle where only the strongest survive.
“It is every man for himself,” he continued.
HIV/AIDS
Recent statistics from the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) indicate that as of 1 July, out of the 4 840 inmates across the country, 583 (12%) are living with HIV/AIDS.
Simon is part of the statistics.
“My body was deteriorating, and I went to get tested. I was HIV positive,” he said.
He claims to have contracted the virus in prison.
Four inmates currently living with the virus at the Windhoek Correctional Facility all expressed strong praise for the level of healthcare they are receiving while incarcerated.
But they also voiced concerns.
“On top of the daily pap and soup, we only get an apple and a glass of milk three times a week. Sometimes when the ARVs are finished in the facility, it can take up to three days with no delivery,” they jointly revealed.
Due to privacy concerns and a fear of potential stigma, the inmates requested to remain anonymous.
One of them said, “My health is being effectively managed, but the main issue is the lack of nutritious food. The apple and a cup of milk we receive is not enough for someone who takes strong medication like me.”
“If only our families were allowed to bring us food, or if we had the freedom to buy our own meals, the situation would improve,” said another inmate who has been in prison for 16 years, and still has to serve 19 years.
Among these inmates, three were previously unaware of their HIV status and only discovered it during their incarceration, while one inmate was already aware of his status prior to his
sentence.
Condoms or not
Whether or not sexual activity occurs in prison or holding cells is not the bone of contention. The question that lingers is whether or not it is protected.
Over the years, health and legal experts have persistently advocated for the distribution of condoms within Namibian prisons, connecting this matter to core principles of basic human rights and a broader landscape of public health concerns.
These appeals have been met by sheer opposition at parliamentary level due to the existence of a law criminalising sodomy.
Former health minister Benhard Haufiku, who has been a vocal proponent of condom distribution in prisons for many years, has reignited the conversation.
“Sex between men and women, and also between men and men, and women and women, happens in prison. We cannot deny this reality. It would be unreasonable for the public or the public health sector to expect HIV not to spread within prisons”, he said recently.
Haufiku is baffled.
“Can we ethically exclude the incarcerated population by restricting preventive health measures, including condom distribution?” the former minister wanted to know.
The doctor is known for his no-nonsense approach, and speaking truth to power.
Rallying behind the calls for condom distribution in prison was human rights lawyer John Nakuta.
For him, it is an open secret that sexual activity within prisons is an inescapable reality.
“It is high time for authorities to foster transparency, enabling comprehensive research on these pressing issues,” said Nakuta.
He pointed to South Africa’s “effective” criminal justice system as a model he believes Namibia should follow.
Denial
Meanwhile, the NCS has a stance of its own on the prevalence of sexual activities within its facilities.
The institution’s head, Raphael Hamunyela, refuted this, saying, “There is no such a thing”.
“There is a suggestion box where they can put their complaints, and they can keep their identities anonymous. If fear is the case, we make sure victims of crimes are taken away from the perpetrators. We can even send them to another facility,” he stated.
Supporting this stance is Trephina Itengula, an officer in NCS’s healthcare directorate, who emphasised the legal obligation of the NCS to provide secure and humane custody.
On the measures taken to curb the transmission of HIV/AIDS, she cited a comprehensive programme involving information, education and communication to encourage behavioural changes, as well as counselling on risk reduction.
“There is also the availability of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), voluntary medical male circumcision, and the distribution of condoms prior to release as preventive interventions,” Itengula said.
She added that over 95% of the HIV/AIDS-affected population within the facilities has achieved viral suppression.
The police
Adding his voice to the discourse, Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo also dismissed allegations of sexual activities within the detained population.
“I am not aware of that, and I have received no report on such cases,” he said before stressing that their rigorous monitoring of detainees “doesn’t allow such acts to happen”.
In spite of the availability of medical services, including voluntary HIV testing and treatment within correctional facilities, HIV transmission continues to be overlooked by those in positions of authority.
This issue stands as a prominent yet unaddressed concern which demands attention in order to effectively combat the spread of the virus among the incarcerated population and across the country.
* This article was produced as part of a fellowship by the Internews Health Journalism network.
Caption: (Prison1) Behind bars…One of the inmates living with HIV/AIDS in the Windhoek Correctional Facility.
Photo: Aletta Shikololo