Daughter of British backpacker left to rot in the 'world's toughest jail' speaks out on situation
The daughter of a British backpacker who is locked up in the ‘world’s toughest jail’ has spoken out about the impact the ordeal has had on her life.
John Henshaw, 39, from Greater Manchester, was travelling through South America when he was caught with a small amount of cannabis at the La Paz International Airport in Bolivia in February.
Since then, it has been reported that he is sleeping on the cold floor of San Pedro prison with dozens of other inmates and is relying on a GoFundMe page to help him to pay for a cell, food, and legal expenses.
Advert
With very little staff and inmates practically running the joint, the jail is an incredibly dangerous environment where nothing is free and stabbings are frequent.
The Brit’s daughter, 15-year-old Kaitlyn Henshaw, has spoken out about how her father’s prison time has been affecting her and her family.
She said: "I spoke to him last Saturday - he was asking about me, I think to take his mind off where he is. There's barely anyone that speaks English there. He said it's overrun and dirty - he has to sleep on the floor.
"I've sent him letters and pictures which have managed to get through, but I don't think there are any guards on the inside.
"It's just been really stressful as I'm constantly worrying about how he is and on top of that I've got revision for my exams. He said you only get one meal a day and what they give him sounds disgusting - some people don't get anything at all."
She continued: "I think he's just fed up with the process of getting out - everything takes so long and he's still waiting to see a judge. He has managed to buy food from other prisoners - some of them make food to get some money on the inside.
"I try to speak to him as much as I can to keep us both positive. I just want him to be safe and out of these conditions. It was my birthday a week after he was put in prison so I didn't get to see him.
"He doesn't like to talk about where he is too much, I don't think he wants me to worry."
The student is also currently doing her exams and the stress of her father being incarcerated is taking its toll on her academics and wellbeing.
John's ex-partner, Toni Rimmer, said: "He's a good person. It's absolutely horrific in there.
"He can only get money in drip fed from the embassy. The only food he has been able to buy for himself is a ham and cheese toastie. He gets a bowl of broth a day, that's it.
"You pay for the privilege of getting a cell, and he hasn't even got one yet. I'm scared because he's a British man. He doesn't deserve what's happening to him in there, he's had no previous charges.
"It's been nearly 50 days, I'm really worried. He doesn't have visitors so he doesn't have a clue what's going on. If he's got a load of money, he'll just get robbed.
"His daughter is going through exams and is so stressed - she just wants her dad home safe. He's a really good dad and his daughter is really missing him."
Alex Foy, the organiser of the GoFundMe page, wrote: “John has found himself in one of the worst prisons in South America.
“He's been thrown in San Pedro, La paz, Bolivia which is featured on an episode of World's Toughest Jails. It's 30-90 days until they look at his case.”
Hopefully the family will be reunited soon once his 90 days are over.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson told LADbible: “We are providing consular support to a British man detained in Bolivia and are in contact with the local authorities.”
LADbible has previously reached out to the Ministry of Justice in Bolivia for comment.
Britt Jones