BOY, 16, HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

A 16-year-old boy in Swaziland has been kept in solitary confinement for five months, although he has not been sentenced for a crime.

He had been granted bail of E2,000 (US$145) but his family have been unable to raise the money, so he has had to stay behind bars.

The boy admitted stealing five pairs of sneakers, worth E4,000.

The Swazi Observer reported on Wednesday (21 September 2016) that he had been serving time in a solitary confinement cell for about five months. It reported the boy saying, ‘I miss school and I might go mad in that cell all by myself. I do not care what happens to me now as I have already suffered enough for all my sins.’

He has been kept in the solitary cell at the Pigg’s Peak Correctional facility, because he is too young to be detained with adult prisoners. 

He was originally arrested on 23 March 2016. His father appeared before the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate’s Court to request bail in July. It was set at E2,000 by Senior Magistrate Siphosini Dlamini. But, the newspaper reported, the boy’s father could not raise the bail money, forcing the minor to continue his time in jail. 

The minor will re-appeared in court on 3 October for sentencing.

See also

KIDS WHO COMMIT NO CRIME LOCKED UP

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/kids-who-commit-no-crime-locked-up.html 

BOY, 12, JAILED FOR INSULTING GRANNY

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/boy-12-jailed-for-insulting-granny.html