Fatshimetrie, September 17, 2024
Prison overcrowding has become a pressing problem, endangering the lives and dignity of inmates. According to the latest information from the Butembo urban prison in North Kivu, 70 inmates have lost their lives since the beginning of 2024. This alarming situation is a direct result of the dire conditions in which prisoners live, illustrating the ongoing humanitarian disaster.
The director of the Butembo urban prison, Augustin Nsinga Malago, stressed during a press briefing that the facility, designed to accommodate 200 inmates, currently has 1,304. This extreme overcrowding seriously compromises the quality of life of prisoners, depriving them of space, oxygen and minimum sanitary conditions. Of the current inmates, only 156 have been convicted, highlighting the slowness of the judicial system in processing cases, leaving many people awaiting prolonged trial.
Despite the efforts of local authorities and humanitarian agencies, the situation remains critical. The consequences of this overcrowding extend beyond the prison walls, with repercussions on the mental and physical health of prisoners, as well as on the overall security of the facility. Recurrent insecurity also reigns in the Butembo-Beni region, making the situation even more volatile and dangerous for staff and prisoners.
Immediate action is imperative to address this humanitarian crisis. Priority must be given to accelerating the processing of judicial cases, finding alternatives to prolonged pretrial detention, and mobilizing resources and support from the national and international community. Every life lost in detention is an avoidable tragedy, a stark reminder of the urgent need to act to reform the prison system and ensure that the fundamental rights of every individual are respected, even behind bars.
Fatshimetrie will continue to closely monitor the evolution of this critical situation at the Butembo urban prison, in the hope that concrete and sustainable measures will be taken to ensure the safety and dignity of all detainees.