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Haiti inmates escape collapsed central prison in earthquake aftermath

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] A UN spokesperson acknowledged Wednesday that Haiti's main prison in the capital Port-au-Prince collapsed in Tuesday's earthquake, and many of the inmates have escaped. As US President Barack Obama sent thousands of troops to help with the rescue efforts, General Douglas Frazier, head of the US Southern Command which includes Haiti, indicated that the Naval medical facilities at Guantanamo Bay may be used to help with the relief efforts. Many of the refugees may be temporarily housed at Camp Justice, an area of the base where visitors such as reporters have generally stayed. The US State Department reported Wednesday that some injured Americans have already been transported to Guantanamo. The massive earthquake, measured at a 7.0 magnitude, left many in the country homeless. Tens of thousands are feared dead, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Countries around the world have pledged millions of dollars in aid for rescue and recovery efforts.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on January 14, 2010 (boomark / email).