Water a ‘luxury’ at Prey Sar

According to officials, the water system was cut earlier this year because of construction works outside the facility. But while the majority of inmates are suffering from the shortage, guards and well-connected prisoners have allegedly cashed in.

Speaking from the prison, an inmate who asked to remain anonymous said that the cost of water has hit an all-time high, at “20 times” the pre-shortage price.

The inmate said that he is now forced to pay “an extra $15 a month for water”.

“I see Khmers and foreign nationals bathing in dirty brown water and others fighting for enough to drink,” he said.

The inmate added that the clean water, carted into the facility multiple times every day, has proved lucrative for some.

“Prison guards are falling over themselves to deliver water,” he said. Some have “hired pickup trucks with water tanks on board to profit from the situation”.

“Inmates are fighting to be the middlemen who further inflate prices and collect money,” he added.

Read more at: http://phnompenhpost.com/national/water-luxury-prey-sar