In a commendable initiative aimed at alleviating prison overcrowding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 109 inmates, including 5 women, from the Mbuji-Mayi central prison were conditionally released on Thursday, August 29. A decision taken within the framework of the policies of the Ministry of Justice, reflecting a desire to reform the Congolese prison system.
Among these released men and women, Thérèse Ndaya, who spent 15 years behind bars following an altercation, expressed her desire to turn the page on past conflicts. She now says she wants to adopt an exemplary lifestyle, respectful of the laws and rules of society.
Similarly, Eliane Ntumba, incarcerated for a year for false testimony in a kidnapping case, made the decision to lead an honest life upon her release from prison. These two women bear witness to the determination of these former inmates to change their behavior and embark on the path to redemption.
The Vice Governor of Kasai-Oriental Province, for his part, called on these newly released individuals to become role models for society and to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past that landed them behind bars.
In addition to the conditional releases, the Ministry of Justice also took an important step by providing Mbuji-Mayi prison with a batch of 80 mattresses, ending the practice where inmates were forced to sleep on the floor due to a lack of bedding.
However, despite these advances, it is essential to emphasize that the Mbuji-Mayi central prison, designed to accommodate 150 inmates, currently has more than 500 people incarcerated. This situation underscores the urgency of continuing reforms aimed at modernizing and humanizing detention conditions in the DRC, while ensuring that alternatives to imprisonment are offered for minor offenses.
In conclusion, the conditional release of these prisoners from Mbuji-Mayi prison represents a positive step towards a more equitable and humane justice system in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Let us hope that these men and women will seize this second chance to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.