Ex-partner of British backpacker left to rot in the 'world's toughest jail' speaks out on 'horrific' situation
The ex-partner of a man who is stuck in a prison in South America has spoken out about his experience in one of the 'world's toughest prisons'.
John Henshaw, from Greater Manchester, was backpacking when he was reportedly arrested for drug trafficking charges at La Paz International Airport in Bolivia.
He was allegedly found with a small amount of cannabis upon his arrest.
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John, 39, has now been incarcerated in San Pedro prison, which was featured on the TV show, Behind Bars: The World's Toughest Prisons.
According to John's family, he is sleeping on the floor surrounded by up to 30 other prisoners. Meanwhile, the jail, which has been described as a 'hellhole', had an original capacity of 600, but reportedly now holds around 3,000 prisoners.
John has told his family he is struggling with a variety of illnesses and weight loss, including ear infections due to insects in the prison.
According to former inmates Thomas McFadden and Rusty Young, if a prisoner like Henshaw wanted additional safety from other prisoners and to steer clear of having to sleep on the floor, they'd have to fork out the cash to buy their own cells from outgoing inmates.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up to raise money for John, which would help with his legal costs and provide any essentials. This has raised almost £4,000 so far.
John's ex-partner, Toni Rimmer, has spoken out about the conditions he is living in.
She and his 15-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn Henshaw, are both extremely worried over his safety and are desperately trying to get him home.
"He's a good person. It's absolutely horrific in there," said Toni.
"He can only get money in drip feed 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."
Daughter Kaitlyn added: "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."
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 reached out to the Ministry of Justice in Bolivia for comment.
Topics: UK News, News, World News, Crime
Lucy Devine