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What crimes have these children committed? by Mohamed Shaheeb and Moosa Latheef Huvaas Special Report 26 December 2001 translated by Maldives Culture editors, names of inmates and children were changed by Huvaas Photo: Huvaas Fareeda's crime was using drugs, and she was sentenced to six years imprisonment. Her child, Niusha is now one year old. The girl has barely taken her first steps, and she needs decent food and a free environment so her brain and body can develop. However she was forced to go to prison along with her mother. At the age of one, what crime has Niusha committed that she has to be in prison? Niusha isn't the only one facing this problem. Although there aren't many in this sort of situation, other Maldivian children are in similar circumstances. There are children growing up in prison because of the criminal convictions of their mothers. It is known that at present there are about half a dozen children in prison with their mothers who are serving gaol sentences. The age of the children ranges from six months to six years. These children have to sleep on the same mattresses with their mothers and use the same toilets as the other inmates. They receive milk and baby food. One of the children is disabled. Mothers have to take the children to prison because other family members haven't volunteered to look after them. These children have fathers, and some of the women are married. One inmate mother apparently has seven children, all born out of wedlock [illegal in Maldives]. We don't know who looks after those children. Some of the children receive food and clothing from home, but not all are that fortunate. The mothers who do receive help, share with those who do not. The children are constantly confined to a large dormitory hall where they hear all sorts of arguments and foul language. Some of the children are violent. There are about six mothers with young ones in prison at the moment. It is known that one of them has all three of her children staying with her. One woman is nursing a one year old and is about to give birth to another. Prison is a place for criminals, we shouldn't even have to ask if these children receive acceptable food and other basic services. Standards of service and procedure are specified in a prison, and food and sanitation are in accordance with that procedure. We don't think that rooms should be built to a higher standard especially for these children. The mother committed a crime, but being born is not an offence. The children face a bleak future if they are locked up behind bars from the time they are learning to walk. They need clean water and decent food. They need a clean environment, and the facilities for schooling. In Maldives, children experience problems in many ways. They may not have to live in prison with their mothers, but it isn't a lie to say that children in the care of other people are sometimes kept in conditions fit only for animals. Recently there was a case where both parents were imprisoned for a drug offence. The people looking after their innocent children locked them up in a room with a cat. A male witness reported the situation to the government authorities, and the children are now in the care of a more sympathetic couple. Even though they aren't related to the children in any way the couple have become a new mother and father for them. It is not acceptable that children, who have no one to look after them when their mother is incarcerated, must therefore accompany their mother to prison. Things need to improve. It should be part of the development of Maldives in these modern times. We were unsuccessful in our efforts to contact the relevant authorities and find out more detail regarding these matters. Trained psychologists in Maldives wouldn't even speak informally to us about the situation. As a result, Huvaas magazine turned to advice, via the internet, from a professional psychologist. 'It is utterly unacceptable for an innocent child to have to grow up among criminals. It is even impossible to comprehend that such a thing can happen in this modern day and age,' said David Alexander, an American child psychologist. He said that if an innocent child grows up among various types of criminals, the child would suffer psychological harm, a reduction in intellectual development, a lack of knowledge of society outside prison, anti-social atttitudes, and be devoid of empathy and other humane emotions. 'It would badly affect all aspects of the life of such a child,' said Alexander, who has worked for twelve years as a children's counsellor and has over 20 years experience as a family counsellor. Alexander has a Master's Degree and acts as a witness in court in matters relating to children. There are less than ten children in prison with their mothers. So a special place could be set up for them, and provision made for an appropriate diet and other basic children's needs. The Maldivian government has established a centre for mentally handicapped adults and others with special needs. Street children and those with behaviour problems have a special centre. People with drug problems also receive government help. There should be some sort of centre established to help these 'prison' children, and brighten their future. Then the innocent will not be punished for the crimes of their parents, and children will be able to grow up playing and living in a free environment without bars. top

Helping prison children in Sri Lanka

Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
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