The Ombudsperson for the Protection of Child Rights, Maia Bănărescu, visited the women's Prison nr.7- Rusca to document about ensuring conditions for raising the children of the detainees.

From discussions with detainees, the Children's Ombudsperson was informed about how local guardianship authorities exercise their functions, in terms of determining the form of protection for children whose mothers are in prison. According to the opinion expressed by the convicted women, guardianship and local and regional authorities do not monitor enough the children in care and the guardianship service doesn't intervene promptly in risk situations.

The detainees complained that they have not seen their other children for more than 24 months and that many of them do not know their brothers and sisters born in prison. Women have said they do not have enough information about the service of guardianship / trusteeship and the family placement they can call in case of children who turn 3 years old and can not be kept with their detainee-mothers in prison anymore. In this context, the Children's Ombudsperson informed detainees about how to establish a form of protection.

Children up to the age of three are provided with food and all required items under the rules established for children in orphanages. However, detainees stated that in the infant diet fresh fruits and vegetables are missing.

Inmates and their children should receive free medical care and medicines, but the Head of Penitentiary nr.7-Rusca, Ion Ciubuc, says there are insufficient resources to cover their needs. Moreover, there is no budget designated for providing drugs to children, so often the prison administration is forced to seek external support to meet their needs.

Ion Ciubuc noted that the prison authorities lack sufficient space and cannot ensure compliance with regard to rules on accommodation of detainees. The prison management makes efforts to keep under strict observance the sanitary-hygienic and anti-epidemic rules, especially in the section for mothers and children.

Maia Bănărescu discussed with the two minors who are detained in prison in Rusca about ensuring their right to education. Every day, teachers from the Lyceum Lăpuşna come to the prison and teach students subjects included in the school curriculum. After graduation, the minor detainees will be able to receive, upon request, necessary training of teachers of vocational school no. 88 Hincesti.

Of 363 inmates who are detained in Rusca, 146 have children. Nine of them raise their children in the Mother and child department of the prison.

Children's Ombudsperson will continue to monitor the promotion and guaranteeing the rights of children of detainees from Rusca.