Prison Environment - Melrose Prison: Drugs, Violence, and Erosion of Authority

Prison Environment - Melrose Prison: Drugs, Violence, and Erosion of Authority
The report from the National Human Rights Commission regarding incidents that occurred last July reveals the extent of drug trafficking and corruption within the high-security Mauritian penitentiary.

Behind the high walls of Melrose Prison, which is supposed to be the most secure facility in the country, discipline has become a distant memory. Drugs, cigarettes, and mobile phones circulate freely, creating a climate of violence and chronic insubordination. The report, made public on October 3rd, paints a disturbing picture of a prison in chaos.

The Eastern High Security Prison in Melrose is witnessing a gradual breakdown of authority. According to several anonymous testimonies from guards, inmates no longer heed orders, and violent incidents are on the rise.

"The situation at Melrose is very bad. When prisoners are under the influence of drugs, they become uncontrollable. ‘When they are high, they don’t listen. They become violent. They insult,’" a guard confides. Synthetic drugs, in particular, are wreaking havoc. "It’s tough to maintain order there. It’s not easy to work there," he complains.

Smuggling Networks
The National Human Rights Commission's report confirms the massive presence of drugs within the prison and points directly to the existence of structured smuggling networks operating with the complicity of corrupt officials.

These smuggling networks, already reported by Le Défi Quotidien on September 16th, feed a prison market with exorbitant prices. Drugs primarily enter in the form of A4 sheets soaked in chemicals, called "chimik". Once cut, these sheets sell for between Rs 100 and Rs 300.

Cigarettes, whose trafficking is also rampant according to internal sources, trade at about Rs 1,000 each during the week, a price that can double on weekends. The prison commissioner recently acknowledged a case where an officer threw cigarettes from the observation tower into the courtyard. "There is a problem with drugs and cigarettes in Melrose prison. Every day, 40 or 50 cigarettes are smuggled in. Inmates pay for them," explains a source.

Moreover, the massive introduction of mobile phones is disrupting the prison environment. Some inmates, connected via WhatsApp, communicate with the outside world after lights out and stay informed about current events in real-time. Prices soar as high as Rs 150,000 for a 5G model. Some inmates make payments through banking apps installed on their own devices, sometimes with the help of a colluding guard.

"There is no control anymore. Some think they can do anything. Those who frequently go in and out of prison are the hardest to manage," guards explain. Fights between inmates are common but rarely officially reported. "Often, issues are resolved internally," a source whispers.

Following a particularly violent incident in July, the National Human Rights Commission initiated a Fact-Finding Inquiry. On that day, the Special Mobile Force (SMF) and the Mauritian Police Intervention Group (GIPM) had to intervene forcefully. The aftermath: injured inmates, vandalized cells, and guards in shock.

"Everything started when the prisoners refused to comply with new disciplinary measures imposed by the management," a source explains. Tensions quickly escalated into fights among inmates before turning into a riot. Since the report's publication, unrest has resumed. "Prisoners are a bit 'wild' these days. They learned about the report's conclusions through their mobile phones," it is noted.

In light of the seriousness of the findings, the National Human Rights Commission recommends the establishment of an independent investigation unit to identify corrupt officers and end impunity. It also advocates for modernizing the surveillance system: signal jammers, body scanners, and increased staff rotation.

Climate of Fear
Furthermore, the report mentions chronic delays in promotions and the growing frustration among prison staff, two factors that contribute to corruption and loss of internal control. The committee warns of "the gradual dehumanization of the prison environment, where fear, fatigue, and mistrust undermine the foundations of an already strained system".

Indeed, with about 910 inmates for nearly 240 guards, only 150 of whom have direct contact with the prisoners, tensions are constant. "Melrose prison is like four prisons in one. There are about ten units, including a geriatric unit, as well as a hospital, among others. For such a complex, at least fifty more guards are needed," agents demand.
Guards also call for the creation of a permanent internal security team dedicated to managing emergencies. "For now, guards on duty say they work in fear and fatigue," they emphasize.

The prison management has set up a high-level committee to analyze the report and propose quick and sustainable solutions. According to our sources, the prison's "Standing Orders" will be reviewed, with a focus on ongoing training for staff.