The people’s ombudswoman for children’s rights Maia Banarescu ascertained shortcomings in ensuring the rights of children who live in penitentiary institutions alongside their mothers who serve time there.  In the opening of a national conference on the issue on July 31, Maia Banarescu said actions should be taken to lay out appropriate playgrounds and to provide these children with medicines, clothing, footwear and personal hygiene objects, IPN reports.

According to the ombudswoman, the personnel of penitentiaries should be supplemented with medical staff and psychologists and the number of activities aimed at socializing the children and at integration them into early education institutions should be increased.

UNICEF Representative in Moldova Desiree Monique Jongsma said more should be done for these children. “They spend these precious years in closed environments and do not have great hope about a better life. The state should develop specific policies that would address the situation of mothers with children and would envision better detention conditions for mother and children, including trained personnel, access to the main social services, educational and recreational activities,” stated Desiree Monique Jongsma.

Acting director of the National Administration of Penitentiaries Aureliu Suhan said the penitentiary system now copes with the requirements as regards the ensuring of the rights of children who live with their mothers in detention within possibilities. The activities are coordinated so that the children do not lack the necessary things from which the children on the outside benefit.

The one-day national conference on the observance of the rights of children born in penitentiaries involves representatives of the central authorities, civil society and international organizations. Participants’ conclusions and recommendations for improving the state of affairs will be included in a report that will be sent to the Government.

In penitentiary No. 7 of Rusca, there are five mothers with their children. The jail has a separate living area for detainees with children that includes a playground. Ten children grow up alongside their mothers in penitentiary No. 16 of Pruncul. The prison also has a separate block for these detainees and a playground.