Cuba moves political prisoners, part of deal to improve conditions behind bars

Cuba moving political prisoners

HAVANA — Cuba has begun transferring some of the country’s 200 political prisoners to jails closer to their homes, a human rights official and the wife of one inmate said Tuesday, the first sign the government is making good on a deal with the Roman Catholic Church to improve conditions behind bars.

Jail authorities contacted the family of Felix Navarro to tell them he would be moved from the maximum-security Canaleta prison in Ciego de Avila to a facility closer to his him in Matanzas, 235 miles (375 kilometers) to the northwest, human rights leader Elizardo Sanchez told The Associated Press.

Another prisoner, Diosdado Gonzalez, was also being moved closer to his home in Matanzas, his wife Alejandrina Garcia told AP.

“This could be the starting gun,” said Sanchez, who is head of the Havana-based Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation and monitors dissident activity.

The transfers come 10 days after church officials announced an agreement that would see the government move some so-called “prisoners of conscience” to jails closer to their homes, and allow long-demanded medical treatment for those who are ailing.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

HAVANA (AP) — A leading human rights official and the wife of one inmate say Cuba has begun transferring some of the country’s 200 political prisoners to jails closer to their homes.

The moves are the first sign the government is making good on a deal to improve conditions behind bars.

Jail officials contacted the family of Felix Navarro to tell them he would be moved from the maximum-security Canaleta to a facility closer to his home in Matanzas, 235 miles (375 kilometers) to the northwest, human rights leader Elizardo Sanchez told The Associated Press. Another prisoner, Diosdado Gonzalez, was also being moved, his wife Alejandrina Garcia said Tuesday.