d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
observation or on aftercare after hospitalisation. Two Medical Officers and Hospital
Officers provide health care to the detainees on a twenty-four hour basis and through an
on-call system;
Religion: Detainees are allowed to observe their respective religion. As such, they are
allowed to observe fasts on religious observance days and religious festivities. Ministers
of religion regularly officiate prayers in respect of their respective religious group;
Segregation and Protection Unit: Detainees fearing for their security are located in
Segregation and Protection Units but are allowed to enjoy all their rights in prison;
Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Detainees are provided with vocational training in trades
like shoemaker, tailor, cabinet making, masonry, housekeeping, cleaning and food
production, amongst others;
Literacy: Numeracy and Literacy Programmes are also organised to those who are illiterate
in order to teach them to read and write. Detainees can also attend courses offered by the
Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) in welding and metal fabrication,
vegetable production, food production and animal husbandry;
Earnings: All convicted detainees are paid weekly earnings which allow them to buy
additional food stuff, soft drinks, toilet requisites, pay fines and costs or even send their
earnings to their relatives;
Contact with the outside world: Detainees are allowed to receive visits of 30 minutes, once
fortnightly, from their relatives. They are also permitted to phone their relatives once
weekly. All detainees are allowed to write letters to their relatives and friends and calls via
skype are also available;
Recreational activities: All detainees have access to television and radio which are fitted
in all Association Yards. In the evening, they are also allowed to listen to the radio up to
20:00 hours daily. They are also issued with newspapers in their Association Yards. In
addition, they have access to the Prison Library; they can also purchase their own books,
magazines, newspapers or receive them on visit from their relatives and friends. All
detainees are allowed to participate in indoor and outdoor game activities.
FORCED LABOUR AND WORKING CONDITIONS
26. Section 6 of the Constitution provides protection from slavery and forced labour. It stipulates
that no person shall be held in slavery or servitude, and no person shall be required to perform
forced labour.
27. Mauritius had ratified the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No 29) of the ILO on 02.12.69.
Its principles and articles have since long been incorporated in our legislation and that of Abolition
of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105) also. The relevant provisions of the Forced Labour
Convention are enshrined in Section 6 of the Constitution of Mauritius; Section 35 of the Reform
Institutions Act 1988; Section 16 of the Prisons Regulations 1989 (Government Notice No. 19 of
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