The Kalemie prison authorities recently took an important decision: the transfer of around a hundred inmates from the central prison to the Kassapa penitentiary establishments in Lubumbashi and Buluo in Likasi. This operation, carried out aboard a military plane, aims to relieve congestion at Kalemie prison, whose capacity is largely exceeded.
Built in 1928 to accommodate 250 inmates, Kalemie Prison currently accommodates more than 800 residents, leading to precarious detention conditions and an increased risk to the safety of inmates and staff.
The Tanganyika provincial government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), facilitated this transfer in order to alleviate overcrowding at Kalemie prison. This initiative is also part of the fight against insecurity in the region, where certain prisoners mysteriously released before the end of their sentence constitute a threat to society.
The provincial Minister of the Interior, Dieudonne Kasaka, underlines the importance of this operation to ensure public security and guarantee the proper functioning of the prison system. He also announced that other detainees will be transferred to Angenga prison in Mongala province, as part of a second wave of transfers scheduled for Wednesday, May 8.
This transfer of prisoners, although necessary, raises questions about the conditions of detention and respect for the rights of detainees. It highlights the challenges faced by prison authorities in ensuring effective prison management and ensuring the social reintegration of prisoners once their sentence has been served.
In conclusion, the transfer of inmates from Kalemie prison to other penitentiary establishments is an important step to relieve overcrowding and improve detention conditions. It highlights the need to strengthen the prison system and ensure respect for the fundamental rights of prisoners to ensure fair justice and a safer society for all.