Behind bars in Afghanistan

Behind bars in Afghanistan

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Inmates weave a carpet at a workshop in Afghanistan's second-largest women's prison in the western province of Herat.

Support from foreign donors has ensured regular meals, healthcare and training courses at the jail, but those arrangements are now at risk as the prison's main benefactor, the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team, winds down operations in the country.

. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

As foreign funding decreases it is expected that most of the government's limited funds will be devoted to fighting a growing Taliban insurgency.

"It's hard to imagine they will have the will, or the ability, to continue maintaining the conditions in prisons" said Heather Barr, a researcher for Human Rights Watch.

"If the government doesn't feed them they don't eat."

. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Ten babies were born at Herat's jail in 2012 and more than 70 are growing up behind bars.

Many inmates said they had been imprisoned after fleeing abuse and were accused of "zina", or sex between unmarried people, by angry husbands or family. Upon arrest, they faced intrusive virginity tests and imprisonment for attempted adultery even if the test results were negative, said Suraya Pakzad, who runs several women's shelters.

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Slideshow

A girl looks out of a window at Herat prison.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A girl looks out of a window at Herat prison.

A inmate gestures as she walks along a corridor.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A inmate gestures as she walks along a corridor.

A prisoner applies make up at a beauty parlour inside the prison.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A prisoner applies make up at a beauty parlour inside the prison.

Prisoners attend an English language class.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Prisoners attend an English language class.

Children sit in a classroom during an English class.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Children sit in a classroom during an English class.

Women attend the prison's health clinic.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Women attend the prison's health clinic.

An inmate prays inside Herat prison.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

An inmate prays inside Herat prison.

Prisoners watch television with their children.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Prisoners watch television with their children.

A woman looks through a viewing panel in a door.
. HERAT, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A woman looks through a viewing panel in a door.