Now Lebanon - Jumblatt speaks out on prison reform - April 4, 2011

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt said in an interview to be published Tuesday that previous governments never prioritized prison reform, “despite our repeated demands to pay attention to the issue.”
“Prisoners accused of terrorism, for example, should [receive religious and psychological counseling] so they will not negatively impact other prisoners,” he said in his weekly article to Al-Anbaa newspaper.
Jumblatt added that prison reform should be tackled on not only the security level, but also the psychological, ethical and political ones.
The PSP leader also said that he holds the Lebanese state responsible for the situation of the Lebanese community in Côte d’Ivoire.
It is important to put all efforts and abilities into saving the Lebanese expatriates in Abidjan instead of giving lessons and speeches in Beirut, he added.
Lebanese citizens in Côte d’Ivoire reportedly came under threat after Lebanon's ambassador attended the swearing-in of Laurent Gbagbo, the controversial strongman who has refused to step down despite rival Alassane Ouattara being internationally recognized as having won the country’s elections.
A riot broke out in Roumieh Prison on Saturday when prisoners began protesting cell searches. The disobedience ended on Sunday after successful negotiations with the prisoners.
-NOW Lebanon