France, Nov. 29 -- Cells are packed far beyond capacity, medical care is scarce and most detainees have not yet seen a judge, the UN warned, adding that Haiti's deep humanitarian crisis has fed this collapse of the prison system.

Armed street violence is preventing people from moving around, institutions are falling apart and widespread poverty is pushing families to breaking point.

The report, published on 11 November, said more than 7,200 people - men, women and minors - were being held in facilities that are often three times over their original capacity.

At least 82 percent of detainees are stuck in prolonged pre-trial detention. Many have spent years waiting for a first hearing.

One prisoner in Port-au-Prince told William O'Neill...