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World

Cuba gives reporters rare prison tour, seemingly seeking to counter criticisms of conditions

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Cuba Prison
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    A prisoner looks at members of the press from his cell after the gate was opened by military guards at the Combinado del Este prison during a media tour of the prison in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Cuban authorities led foreign journalists through the maximum security prison, the largest in the Caribbean country that houses 3,000 prisoners. Cuba says they have 200 prisons across the country, including five that are maximum security. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes) (The Associated Press)

  • APTOPIX Cuba Prison
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    Three prisoners stand in their cell at the Combinado del Este prison during a media tour in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Cuban authorities led foreign journalists through the maximum security prison, the largest in the Caribbean country that houses 3,000 prisoners. Cuba says they have 200 prisons across the country, including five that are maximum security. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes) (The Associated Press)

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    A woman, who did not want to give her name, waits to visit her husband who she said is serving the second year of his 13 year sentence at the Combinado del Este prison, during a media tour in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Cuban authorities led foreign journalists through the maximum security prison, the largest in the Caribbean country that houses 3,000 prisoners. Cuba says they have 200 prisons across the country, including five that are maximum security. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes) (The Associated Press)

HAVANA – Cuba invited foreign journalists to tour four prisons this week in an apparent attempt to counter public criticisms of conditions inside.

At the Combinado del Este, the island's largest lockup and one of five maximum-security prisons, reporters were shown workshops where inmates were hard at work disassembling cars, repairing motors and making shoes.

The prison, which is home to Cuba's gravest offenders, also offers classes in useful skills like bricklaying, carpentry and soldering.

Roelis Osorio, director of the Combinado del Este, said 27 percent of the inmates work voluntarily and are compensated for their labor. He said 37 percent of prisoners take classes.

Cells measuring about 2 by 4 yards (meters) house three inmates, and each has a bathroom separated by plastic curtains or blankets.

Medium-security prisons were also opened up to reporters for the first time in nine years.

Cuba has 56,000 prisoners in 200 penitentiaries.

Cuban dissidents have accused prison facilities of abuse amounting to torture — something vehemently denied by authorities.