Diary of a Kilkennyman in an Indian jail

Patrick Malluzzo is in contact with ANGELA DOYLE from his prison cell in India

Patrick Malluzzo, 31, has spent four-and-a-half years in a federal prison in Kota, a town in Rajasthan state, 500 kilometres south of New Delhi.

He and his family maintain that he should not be in prison. His relatives and supporters maintain he got into trouble because of a wayward travel companion. When Patrick was arrested he was not told why, and was never found with drugs on him or in his luggage. The facts that surround his case are unbelievable and as time goes by Patrick, suffers terribly.

After a trial that lasted two-and-a-half years (no word of English was spoken), a court in Kota sentenced Malluzzo to 10 years in jail along with a fine of 100,000 rupees (then US$2,190). It acquitted Dean, his travel companion, who had another lawyer, giving him the "benefit of doubt." Patrick's mother Teresa Malluzzo nee Grace originally of Callan, Kilkenny has fought hard for Patrick's freedom along with her family and a growing number of supporters.

I have written letters to Patrick where he has told me of the horrendous conditions he lives in and what his daily life entails. With Patrick's permission and his family’s blessing, the Kilkenny Advertiser is publishing excerpts from Patrick's diary.

You can support Patrick by signing his petition on http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/PATRICKMALLUZZO/ If you would like to write to Patrick, the address is as follows: Kota Centre Jail, Kota, Rajasthan, India.

Continued from last week

Some of the staff here are ok, but most are cowardly bullies that hide behind a uniform. They don't use abusive language or threaten gangsters or well connected prisoners however, anyone else they slap about, bamboo massage, verbally abuse and humiliate for any perceived slight. Rules change according to how they feel and who you are and what you can pay.

I have no friends here. I can trust no-one here. Some prisoners respect me and some hate me because I am a 'Firangi'' and 300 years of colonialism is my fault as everyone with white skin is ‘Angrez-British'. Some enjoy trying to wind me up, some will try to fight me to prove Indians are tougher. Some will try to be friends as they believe all white people are rich. Some see me as dirty because of my culture and religion. Some presume I’m full of wisdom. I stand up for myself and don't allow them to push me around. I do have to be careful as they fight in gangs never alone, and I’m sure I’m the only unarmed man here. Many have access to making shift knives. This may sound silly but I’d rather be stabbed than to stab anyone. Even in defence I couldn’t bear to have that on my conscience.

Every kind of criminal is housed here and there's no segregation. Some of the crimes I've heard of have turned my stomach. But my case is not the only case of miscarriage of justice. I would say 30 per cent of the prisoners here are not guilty. Bear in mind that India's conviction rate is only 33 per cent. That's an awful lot of men and women banged up wrongly. The police here are corrupt gangsters and couldn't give a toss as long as they arrest someone.

One thing that strikes me and I’ll never get used to it is that there is no solidarity amongst the prisoners.

They are itching to inform on each other and laugh when other prisoners get beaten even though it happens to them too and they will even assist in the beating.

Prisoners who have been here a long time are 'promoted' to CNW - convict night watch and CO's convict orderlies. They are like the Gestapo - They extort, bully, sexually harass and torture as they please with backing from the staff.

Their word will always be taken above an ordinary prisoner.

I've had a few threats from staff and prisoners, but by keeping to myself and Ma's prayers, I’m doing ok on that front thank God.

I have had many medical problems. I contracted malaria within a few weeks of checking in. Kidney infections, dysentery, diarrhoea, fevers, flu, dental problems, ulcers, boils, infections, random swelling, renal disfunction, chronic urinary infections, lice, depression... the list is ongoing.

Imagine, I was feeling the urge to urinate 24/7 for a year before I was prescribed the right meds. I'm on medicine that I have to take everyday and I may need to do so for the rest of my life.

The jail doctor has no power to prescribe medicine. If he thinks you need something, he refers you to the government hospital. You go there under police guard and when you get there you can forget any nice treatment. They look at you like you are pure dog s***t and then say there's nothing wrong with you. After a year of urine problems and regular hospital visits, I was told I was lying. Thankfully a new urologist came and identified my problem and prescribed the correct medication. I haven’t been so lucky with the dentist. I need fillings and a root canal and caps. She offered to remove the affected teeth but not to fix them.

More Stories

• Ground water quality to be addressed
• Ballyragget Vintage on the move
• Residents in ‘rat run’ estate won’t be divided
• MacDonagh Junction’s first birthday dash
• Community service order in lieu of prison
• All hail King Gok
• Carlow family take fresh food to the limit with new takeaway
• Give yourself a break!