DR Congo Releases 527 Prisoners from Overcrowded Makala Central Prison
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, has announced the release of 527 prisoners from Kinshasa’s central prison, Makala, as part of ongoing efforts to ease overcrowding and improve detention conditions.
The announcement was made on Saturday, 10 August, during a visit to the facility.
In addition to the releases, Minister Mutamba delivered 2,000 mattresses to inmates, the first portion of an order of 7,000, as part of a broader initiative to ensure no prisoner has to sleep on the floor.
The beds, he stated, are currently being manufactured, with a commitment that “no prisoner will have to sleep on the floor” starting next week.
This forms part of a wider refurbishment of the prison, which includes the renovation of several pavilions and the rehabilitation of the prison’s health centre.
Minister Mutamba reiterated the government’s commitment to the rule of law, urging the newly released prisoners to return to their homes and reintegrate into society.
He also revealed plans for further releases, targeting those who have been unjustly detained, with the next round scheduled for Saturday, 17 August.
The Minister highlighted the ongoing efforts to address the severe overcrowding at Makala Central Prison, which currently houses over 15,000 inmates, despite its original capacity of 1,500. In July, the government announced plans to grant conditional release to at least 7,000 inmates to alleviate the situation.
In addition to these measures, the government has initiated the construction of a new prison in Maluku, aimed at further reducing the burden on Makala. The site was recently inspected by Minister Mutamba, who has pledged to see the project through to completion.
Conditions at Makala Central Prison have long been a cause for concern, with reports of inmates suffering from poor nutrition, cramped cells, and outbreaks of waterborne and respiratory diseases.
The recent initiatives are part of a broader strategy by the DRC government to reform the country’s prison system and uphold human rights within the detention facilities.
Source: Africanews
