In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 67 inmates were released on March 28, 2024 from the largest prison in the DRC, Makala, near Kinshasa, where nearly 15,000 inmates are crammed together even though this penitentiary establishment was designed for 1 500 people. The Attorney General, Firmin Mvonde, present on this occasion, indicates: “ They are released because they meet the criteria and it is under the leadership of the Head of State that we are here. »
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities are tackling overcrowding at the country’s largest prison. Built for 1,500 inmates, the Makala central prison, located in Kinshasa, today brings together nearly 15,000 people.
On March 28, 2024, 67 detainees were released, and others will also be able to leave this prison house, according to the Attorney General, Firmin Mvonde.
At the head of a commission responsible for unclogging the prison, the head of the Congolese public prosecutor’s office was yesterday at Makala prison to mark the start of the releases.
“ Fifteen thousand people as a prison population is too much for a prison of 1,500 people »
“ Fifteen thousand people as a prison population is a lot and it is too much for a prison of 1,500 peoplehe declared on the microphone of Pascal Mulegwa. Sixty-seven people released this evening, it’s tiny but it’s something. They are released because they meet the criteria and it is under the leadership of the Head of State that we are here “.
He explains : ” The law requires that for certain offenses, which can be dealt with in such a way that either it ends with a dismissal – because of benign facts – or by classification for traditional fine, or for unsuitability of prosecution. These are the different cases that we are seeing so that they can be released. There are naturally cases which cannot be, in particular those relating to fairly serious offenses: robberies, various homicides, criminal associations, rapes, corruption. »
Firmin Mvonde concludes: “ It’s a small signal because the work has only just begun. We have a permanent team here to monitor all detentions in their regularity, to see the detentions which are fanciful, and there, we sanction. So, as long as it takes, the commission will be there. »
#DRC🇨🇩: Why do defendants hang out in prison?
For the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, “it is sometimes the defendants themselves who are at the base by requesting discounts and using delaying tactics”.
This Thursday at Makala central prison, the head… pic.twitter.com/OWIKdOkW5j
— Pascal Mulegwa (@pascal_mulegwa) March 28, 2024
Read alsoDRC: authorities want to tackle prison overcrowding at Makala prison