The illegal prison center is actually a two-story house located in Jérusalem 9, on the border of Onaville, another slum controlled by a gang leader named Jeff
In Jerusalem, a slum in Croix-des-Bouquets, armed gangs have set up their own prison to “maintain order”, residents reveal to AyiboPost.
Trials are organized under the supervision of the main leader, a bandit named Marc “Sansans” Ben.
Sentences depend on the crime committed, and gang members act as prison guards.
The illegal prison center is actually a two-story house located in Jerusalem 9, on the border of Onaville, another slum controlled by the gang leader named Jeff.
Read also: Hell in Onaville: national road #3 under threat from Canaan gangs
“The bandits seized the property, then renovated it by adding bars to the windows and metal doors deemed more appropriate,” a source who herself took part in the development work reveals to AyiboPost.
This extrajudicial prison illustrates the inexistence of the State in several localities of the country. An absence that benefits bandits, who organize almost all aspects of social life and go so far as to distribute justice or electric current.
For Laënnec Hurbon doctor in sociology, we are witnessing a “real reversal of social relations” on the part of gangs.
Sentences depend on the crime committed, and gang members act as prison guards.
“According to Hurbon, the bandit has become the master who makes the majority of the population his slaves. Everyone who lives in the country becomes a “potential prisoner”.
The bandit acts in this way “because he himself has become the State,” continues the specialist in the relationships between religion, cultures and politics in Haiti and the Caribbean.
In March 2024, the Viv Ansanm gang coalition of which the Jerusalem group is a part attacked the National Penitentiary of Port-au-Prince, the largest prison center in the country, leading to the escape of thousands of detainees.
we are witnessing a real reversal of social relations on the part of the gangs.
On the night of May 17 to 18, 2024, the men of Wilson Joseph, alias “Lanmò san jou,” for their part demolished the civil prison of Croix-des-Bouquets.
The thugs are now aware that they are a force, observes Laënnec Hurbon.
In the conquered territories, “they operate by building an entire social hierarchy with generals, supervising soldiers, commissioners…” A structure allowing them to subdue the population, analyzes Hurbon.
In Jerusalem, for example, armed bandits lock up members of the population in their prison for several days or weeks.
But long before that, a trial takes place to determine whether the person is actually guilty of what he or she is accused of, according to sources contacted by AyiboPost.
In fact, when someone goes to Sansans to file a complaint, a “soldier” is appointed to pick up the accused person, often brutally.
Read also: In Canaan, bandits replaced the State
During arrests, the leader’s minions use barbed wire to tie up the culprits, according to the source. “They hate the hougans whom they identify as dangerous “criminal” and thieves,” says the source.
A Jerusalem resident confirms that the leader treats his own men more harshly. « Their sentences are always heavier, she said. Not only do they spend more time in prison, but they are not given food or water when they do. And if another soldier allows himself to come to the aid of the one who is locked up, he will join him in the cell and his sentence will be worse. »
The bandits of this locality avoid using their guns in the area.
« The times when we hear them shooting a lot, said the resident, is when they are partying or when they receive new weapons that they want to test. »
Also, they order civilians not to go out when they are going to confront other gangs or law enforcement.
A Jerusalem resident confirms that the leader treats his own men more harshly.
These kinds of tactics, implemented to gain sympathy from hostage communities, are used in various other gang hotbeds.
Last October, in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets, gang leader Lanmò san jou distributed envelopes of money to children.
Other members of the Viv Ansanm coalition also distribute money and food to residents in their territories.
Services formerly provided by the State are falling into the hands of criminals.
The administrative director of Electricity of Haiti (EDH), Jose Joachin Davilmar, affirmed that the bandits go so far as to divert power in several areas.
Those who live in these localities are forced to establish relationships with the thugs.
In the case of Jerusalem, residents say that if they are caught speaking ill of bandits or if they share any information about the area, they will be killed.
Services formerly provided by the State are falling into the hands of criminals.
« They do not search our phones systematically, according to one of AyiboPost’s sources. But if one of them asks to see our phone, we can’t refuse. Therefore, we are obliged to always remain on our guard. »
For fear of being heard and being identified as moles, members of the population limit their topics of conversation. Several of them go so far as to refuse calls from people asking for news about the area.
“Everyone distrusts everyone,” one of the sources told AyiboPost.
Cover image | Hands of men desperate to catch the iron prisonprisoner conceptthailand peopleHope to be free ©Freepik
► AyiboPost is dedicated to providing accurate information. If you notice any mistake or error, please inform us at the following address : hey@ayibopost.com
Keep in touch with AyiboPost via:
► Our Channel Telegram : Click here
► Our Channel WhatsApp : Click here
► Our Community WhatsApp : Click here
Comments