The emergence of the modern prison in Haiti: Discourse, practices, institutions

This paper examines how in the aftermath of its independence, Haiti as a new state addressed the prison issues. The Haitian prison system during the period from 1804 to 1915 has been analysed on a threefold basis, considering ideas, practices and institutions. We have first sketched the socio-genesis of the prison in Haiti, at the same time highlighting the socio-political and economic factors which contributed to its establishment. Then the focus turns to the post-independence prison regime and its rationale. The analysis shows how the discourse of prison reform has percolated into debates of ideas (academic and political), but without ever succeeding in improving judicial and penitentiary practices and their transformation into standards and professional or organizational habits, most often detrimental to detainees. This genealogy of the Haitian prison lifts the veil on its impasse by re-establishing the connection between the contemporary prison and its colonial foundations, despite the modern discourse. This paper aims to enrich knowledge about the penal system in general and the prison in particular.