Easter

I couldn't get on the Internet yesterday. The connection in Fort Portal was incredibly limited. It's amazing I was able to post at all while we were there.

Easter Sunday was a good time. We went to the women's prison for Mass and to visit with the prisoners. There were 28 women in the women's section of the prison. I'm told there are about 400 men in the men's section. Of the 28 women, only four have been convicted, the others are awaiting trial. There were half a dozen babies with the women. Babies stay with their mothers until they are about 18 months old. One women was just released after waiting three years for her trial. She was accused of killing her husband--she was blind and has four children. She was found innocent of the charges. It's not unusual for people to sit in prison for years waiting for their trial.

The women thought it was a big deal that I sat with them on the mats on the floor. It seemed to mean a lot to them that I didn't separate myself from them. They were very kind. Of course, I don't see the day-to-day life of the prison, but, as stark as the environment was, the women themselves seemed more gentle than my limited experience of American prisons.

The women showed me their living quarters. Most of them sleep in one room, bunk beds, dorm style. There's a total lack of privacy. The space was neat, but many of the beds didn't even have blankets and nights in Fort Portal get pretty chilly since the elevation is about the same as Denver. The environment is very Spartan. The women with children sleep in a separate room. Their babies must sleep with them since I saw no sign of any cribs.

I bought a few baskets that the women had made. The craftsmanship is very fine. I'm collecting an assortment of gifts for my return to the US. The baskets are a nice addition.