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Inside Libya’s al-Jawiya prison

The new jail, located on an air base in Misrata, consolidates prisoners from other makeshift facilities.

Prison director Colonel Jamal Abubriedaa explains how he has attempted to create a modern, professional prison.
By Christopher Occhicone
Published On 17 Jan 2015

Colonel Jamal Abubriedaa, the director of the new, centralised al-Jawiya prison in Misrata, says there have been changes lately within Libya’s justice system. The Tripoli-based government – one of two parallel governments operating in conflict-torn Libya – has been taking steps to meet international norms, the warden told Al Jazeera.

International groups such as Human Rights Watch have raised questions in the past about conditions in Libya’s prisons, including keeping prisoners in unsanitary makeshift jails, detaining people without trial for lengthy periods, physical abuse and a lack of medical care. Abubriedaa says these concerns are being addressed, but acknowledged the difficulty of implementing a modern culture of human rights in the aftermath of more than four decades under the regime of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The new prison, located on the al-Jawiya air base, has consolidated prisoners from other makeshift jails in the country. Prisoners receive periodic medical exams and have access to a health clinic where chronic issues can be addressed. Abubriedaa says the improved conditions have made the guards’ jobs easier, because prisoners are now more compliant.

Prisoners wait to be called for chest x-rays provided by the National Centre for Disease Control.
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Prisoners queue to receive their chest x-rays.
Prisoners at al-Jawiya receive periodic medical exams and have access to a health clinic.
Prisoners can receive food, books and clothes from relatives during weekly visits. About 8 to 10 prisoners share each cell.
This former Gaddafi loyalist says the conditions in prison have improved in the past year.
The improved conditions have made prisoners more compliant, Abubriedaa said.
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A number of former pro-Gaddafi fighters are incarcerated at al-Jawiya prison.
The sons of former defense minister Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr, who was killed alongside Gaddafi, are awaiting trial.
A prisoner works in the prison store. Inmates recieve money from their families or earn income from jobs around the prison. Their money is kept in a prison bank, with purchases recorded and deducted from their balance.
Prison guards, who eat the same diet as prisoners, say fresh vegetables, fruit and meat are readily available.
Kalid Tantoush, Gaddafi(***)s spiritual adviser and religious teacher, is curently serving a life sentence. He says that conditions in prison have greatly improved. 
Tantoush leads a group of prisoners in afternoon prayer. 
Both guards and prisoners say the atmosphere has improved since prison officials recieved training and funding from Tripoli.
The al-Gauia Reform and Rehabilitation Centre houses many former Gaddafi loyalists, including these men.
Amid past criticism of Libya(***)s justice system, Abubriedaa says the country has been taking steps to meet international norms.