**Prisoner Releases to Ease Prison Overcrowding in Burundi**
In the midst of a prison overcrowding crisis in Burundi, the president recently took a radical decision: all inmates charged with minor crimes must be released within two weeks to ease the pressure on the country’s prisons. An unprecedented measure, but necessary to address the reality of Burundian prisons.
To date, 477 inmates have already been released from Muramvya prison, marking the start of an initiative to release a total of 5,442 prisoners, or 41% of the prison population. For President Evariste Ndayishimiye, this mass release represents an opportunity for these individuals to contribute positively to the development of Burundi.
“This pardon is not imposed by law, because we do not forgive an innocent person. It is an opportunity offered to our brothers and sisters to change, reform, and contribute to the development of Burundi,” the president said.
The move was welcomed by Gabriel Rufyiri, president of the Observatory for the Fight against Corruption and Economic Embezzlement in Burundi. He stressed the importance of also considering political measures to encourage the return of Burundians in exile. “This is a good thing,” he said. “However, the president should also take political measures to encourage Burundians to return.”
Burundi currently has eleven prisons, all of which are far beyond their capacity. This prison overcrowding crisis has reached such a point that drastic measures such as the mass release of prisoners have become inevitable. However, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact Burundian society in the coming months and whether additional measures will be taken to sustainably address this problem.
Ultimately, releasing prisoners to alleviate prison overcrowding in Burundi is a bold move that paves the way for important discussions on the prison system and justice in the country. This decision also prompts consideration of what additional measures are needed to ensure the successful reintegration of former prisoners and to prevent prison overcrowding from recurring in the future.