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

Cuba moving political prisoners

HAVANA — 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.