Prison Visit
on Mary In Cambodia (Cambodia), 27/Mar/2011 11:34, 34 days ago
 Visiting a Prison.Recently I was invited by a young Cambodian, Vichette, who teaches English to prisoners, to accompany him to his class.We drove in through open gates, nobody stopped us or asked who we were or why we were there. There were hundreds of men working in the vegetable garden, some others were mixing cement, some were doing repairs to buildings, and in the middle of a large compound there was a thatched shelter, under which 17 young men were sitting in makeshift desks waiting for us. We received a warm welcome. They were happy to tell me about themselves and their lives in prison. They told me about the work they did, one was a cook, some laughed and said his food was terrible, he replied that he did his best with bad ingredients. Others worked in the laundry. A number of them taught the English they learned in class to other inmates for a couple of hours at night. In turn they asked lots of questions about my life, my family and my country.As we talked, a gate at the end of the compound was opened and crowds of women arrived. They were from the female prison next door. I was told wives and girl friends were allowed visit for an hour every day. There is no school in the women’s prison, and the reason for inviting me became clear. Vichette was hoping I would help him set up a class there. I haven’t made any promises, but it might be something I could work on when schools are closed in August and September.I’m not sure what I expected, but it certainly was not what I found. These were a group of intelligent, well mannered young people, who seemed determined to use their time to improve their prospects of getting employment when their sentences ends. They will sit exams and hopefully receive a certificate for them. Their big worry was that the photo on the cert would show them in prison clothes. A problem easily solved, they will happily share a couple of shirts and ties.It didn’t feel like a prison atmosphere, I didn’t see many guards, and none with guns, the gate stayed open, inmates went about their business and chatted to each other at will. I’m feeling confused, I must be missing something, Why did they not walk out? Maybe I’ll learn more on my next visit!!