Island prison is by Colin Legum. It appeared in the June 6 issue of the London Observer. Legum is known for his concern about truthful presentation of the facts. Among the details which he makes public is the confinement of Dr. Neville Alexander, one of South Africa's most distinguished intellectuals, to the oun ishment block." The grim news should serve as a reminder to all supporters of the South African freedom struggle that the families of the prisoners need help. In the case of Dr. Alexander, funds can be forwarded through Connie Kirkby, Secretary of the British Alexander Defence Committee, 27 Thursley House, Holmewood Gardens, London, S.E.2.]
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Despite undertakings by the South African Government to improve its prison island -- Robben Island, off Cape Town -- two reports by regular visitors throw a disturbing light on the conditions under which its 1,329 inmates survive.
Most are political prisoners, and include leaders like Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe as well as a score or so of leading African and Coloured doctors, poets, writers and lecturers.
Stung by overseas criticism, the Verwoerd Government has conducted specially selected guests around the island, and has produced a series of pictures to show how well its political prisoners are treatcd. Even the Rec Cress was unable to establish the true facts when Dr. Hoffman, its delegate, was taken round the island. The few prisoners who dared to complain to him were subsequently punished,
The first report of conditions on the island comes from the Christian Council of South Africa and deals with the pastoral care of the prisoners, It complains that no proper services can be held vy the chaplains. They have to stand at one end of an empty corridor. “When hymns are sung, each man joins in from the cells,"
No distinction
Although the chaplaincy letter of appointment requires that each chaplain should be informed of all new arrivals, this is not done, Accordingly they do not know whom to visit. They are forbid~ den to discuss with prisoners the studies on which they are engaged. All conversations are in the full hearing of security officers,
No distinction is made between the political prisoners and those in "D" category, who comprise the hardened criminals of the thug type. “The political prisoners are confined under the same
rigorous conditions as the worst criminals in the land."
At present prisoners who wish to study are able to do so only if their families can supply the necessary funds.
The second report comes from a privileged visitor of profes-~ sional repute. He describes the special punishment block as a corrugated=-iron unit with emergency cells which should hold about 15 prisoners, They usually hold about 50. There is one water tap and an exposed toilet.
All the persons convicted at the Rivonia trial with Nelson Mandela have been confined to the punishment block at one time or another,
Others who have been confined there include the brilliant German-trained scholar, Dr. Alexander, Dr. Ngakane, Fiquile Bam and Billy Nair.
Short of food
Inmates are punished for the slightest infringement -- usually for "not working hard enough."' This means three meals disallowed.
Food is insufficient and unvaried. Africans get porridge mixed with soup and sugar for breakfast, biack coffee and sugar, but no bread. For lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays they are given plain boiled maize. On the other days they are given boiled maize and beans. They have their last meal at 3:30 in the afternoon and get nothing again until 6 a.m.
Prisoners are afraid of reporting sick. When they do they are ‘usually told by the warders that they are shamming and are sometimes assaulted. Most prisoners only go to the hospital when they are in dire need. There appears to be only one treatment for stomach complaints -- castor oil.
Prisoners are kept in cells of about 80 ft. by 20 ft., which . should accommodate 40 to 50. Instead there are usually between 80-90 men in them. There is always a shortage of water, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Each cell has two modern flush toilets to be shared between the 80-90 people.
-Although Robben Island has a cold and changeable climate and prisoners work in open quarries, they have inadequate clothing and no raincoats. Those who do not arrive with shoes are given one pair, which must last for as long as they are on the island. Prisoners complain of having to endure daily insults.
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