The Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, announced on Saturday, August 10, 2024, the release of nearly 527 prisoners from the central prison of Makala in Kinshasa.
This decision aims to address the severe overcrowding and dire conditions within one of Africa’s most notorious correctional facilities.
During the release event, which underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, Minister Mutamba also delivered 2,000 out of a total of 7,000 mattresses ordered to improve the living conditions for inmates.
“A state governed by the rule of law means that everyone must be subject to the law. Your place is in your home where you will spend the night tonight,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of restoring freedom to those unjustly detained.
Minister Mutamba reaffirmed the government’s pledge to enhance detention conditions in line with directives from the Head of State, with plans to ensure that “no prisoner will sleep on the floor anymore.”
He elaborated that the first batch of mattresses has been delivered, with new beds currently in production, and conveyed that substantial renovations are underway at the prison’s health center and various pavilions.
The minister further disclosed plans for the construction of a new prison in Maluku, which he recently visited.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to alleviate overcrowding at Makala Central Prison, which was originally designed to accommodate 1,500 inmates but currently houses over 15,000, including women and children.
In July, the Congolese government announced an intention to conditionally release at least 7,000 inmates from Makala to mitigate the chronic overcrowding crisis at the facility.
The conditions within the prison have been widely criticized, characterized by poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, and a host of health issues among inmates, including respiratory diseases and poor access to clean water.
Makala Central Prison, established in 1957, has been under increasing scrutiny for its appalling conditions and the plight of its inmates, with many crammed into overcrowded cells and lacking basic necessities.
As the government takes steps towards reforming the penal system and improving conditions for detainees, this latest initiative reflects a commitment to human rights and the welfare of prisoners.
The continued implementation of these reforms will be crucial in addressing the systemic issues plaguing the justice system in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The community and human rights advocates are hopeful that these changes will mark a new chapter in the treatment of prisoners and the overall human rights landscape in the DRC.
