Dar An Nahar and Dar al Amal organise a book discussion on women prisoners

Dar an Nahar and Dar al Amal organised yesterday within the framework of the Aran Book Fair in Biel a seminar around their new book entitled entitled: "Sayings by women prisoners in stories and vignettes.  The seminar was moderated by Maguy Aoun and was attended by MP Ghassan Mokhayber, Colonel Ghassan Maaloof Chief of Roumieh Prison, lawyer Fahmi Karami and the president of Dar al Amal, Habib Hatem. The book is a compilation of quotes and stories by a number of women residing in three Lebanese prisons, namely Tripoli, Zahleh and Baabda, where Dar al Amal engages in legal, psychological and other services.  The book materialised as an idea from Dar al Amal and was then adopted by the Dar Al Nahar publishing house.  Income from sales will be used to support women prisoners.
MP Ghassan Mokhayber highlighted in his intervention the situation of prisons.  He referred to the report which he produced within the framework of drafting the national human rights strategy and in which prisons were classified into three categories, namely as bad, very bad or inhumane.  He added that in theory prisons are supposed to be spaces for accessing justice and rehabilitation.  Colonel Maaloof noted for his part that the current situation of prisons is poor and efforts should be extended to improve them and to help the ISF in doing so, highlighting the role of NGOs and other supporting organisations.  He indicated that criticism needs to be constructive so as to improve the situation and not cause harm to those in charge of these prisons.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 19 December 2013