“Imagine a place where a mother’s love transcends prison walls.” Right here, we stand before Correctional Center 2. It is also known as CC2. This prison in Phnom Penh holds stories of hardship and hope. It also tells stories of resilience.
Correctional Center 2 is not just a prison. It is a place where the Cambodian government acknowledges that some children live with their incarcerated mothers. NGOs like AMADE recognized this situation years ago. They started working to improve these children’s lives.
In 2009, AMADE started a day-care center at CC2 for imprisoned mothers and their children. They have supported its operation since day one. Thanks to NGOs like AMADE, the government lowered the age of children allowed to stay with their mothers. The age was reduced from six to three years old in 2011.
Despite these efforts, the number of pregnant women and children in Cambodian prisons continues to rise. In 2016, there were 41 children aged 0-2 and 39 pregnant women in these prisons. The conditions inside Cambodian prisons are challenging for children. They often lack enough food and clean water. The unsanitary conditions and overcrowding create safety issues.
Several measures have been implemented to address these problems. These measures include monitoring pregnant women and children. They also include legal registration of births during incarceration. Alternative care options are offered for children over three years old.
Nutritional care and hygiene kits are provided to pregnant women and children. Access to medical care and immunization is available for all children. Childbirth should occur in hospitals, if possible. Each child’s development is monitored and evaluated. Early childhood care and play activities are implemented. Women are informed about their rights and their children’s rights. The goal is that women and children have access to adequate healthcare and nutrition. Children should have access to early stimulation and education.
Keo Remy is the chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee. He described improvements in the human rights situation in Cambodian prisons. Inmates at Correctional Center 2 receive adequate food. They also have access to vocational training and healthcare. The prison environment is clean. Inmates can leave their cells for fresh air and exercise. CC2 also has a library and places of worship for all religions.
The Ministry of Health is committed to improving healthcare in prisons. They provide specialized training for health officials working at prison health posts. Health Minister Chheang Ra emphasized that prisoners have the right to the same level of healthcare as the general public. This includes emergency care and hospital referrals.
Correctional Center 2 shows the challenges. It also shows the efforts to protect vulnerable populations within the prison system. It is a place where organizations strive to ensure the rights and well-being of incarcerated women and their children. It is a place where hope persists.