The Prison: Thankful You Were Not There.

 It is hoped an expansion will help alleviate overcrowding in the prison

There is no running water, educational classes are suspended because infectious diseases have scared off the teachers and almost 400 inmates are squeezed into a site intended for 150 - minus one who escaped over the weekend.

It is a Monday morning at 1735, Antigua and Barbuda's national prison, which is named after the year it was built.
Boxes of drinking water are being unloaded at the front gates which prisoners must buy, or risk drinking the brackish water from the recreation yard's fire hydrant.
High above the compound, aeroplanes are bringing holidaymakers to the Caribbean island famed for its historical sites.

• Antigua and Barbuda country profile

The prison is one of the few buildings still used for its colonial-era purpose, along with the main police station holding cell, said to have once held the condemned awaiting hanging.




The food is even worse.

Prison Superintendent Albert Ward says there is "a problem" with prisoners who get mobile phones and drugs from corrupt officers.
The weekend escapee, who was later found and returned, may also have broken out with a guard's help, but that is still under investigation, he adds.

A multi-million dollar expansion under way will help alleviate overcrowding and will see most cells fitted with flushing toilets and a basin.
It also includes a modern kitchen and administration block, plus water catchments to eventually facilitate running water throughout the prison.
As for the cats, the presence of Convict and her feline offspring have at least reduced reports of prisoners' toes getting bitten by rats, the superintendent adds.