Unfortunately, the prison conditions at Iyombe Central Prison in Inongo raise serious concerns about the respect of the fundamental rights of prisoners. The findings are clear: the infrastructure is dilapidated, prisoners suffer from alarming food shortages and medical care is virtually non-existent. In this grim reality, the lives of hundreds of individuals are on hold.
The director of the establishment, Joseph Lilenge Isankema, is sounding the alarm on the need for urgent government intervention to avoid an imminent catastrophe. The dilapidated walls threaten the safety of prisoners, and the health situation is deteriorating day by day. Deprived of beds, some prisoners are forced to sleep on the floor in inhumane conditions.
It is imperative to emphasize that this critical situation is exacerbated by the lack of state funding, which deprives Iyombe Central Prison of the resources essential to its operation. For nearly four months, the shortage of medicines and food has continued to worsen the distress of prisoners, who are the first victims of this dysfunction.
Faced with this unsustainable reality, it is essential that the authorities take their responsibilities by ensuring the rehabilitation of the establishment and guaranteeing a regular subsidy to guarantee dignified detention conditions that respect human rights. The urgency of the situation calls for immediate action to save lives and guarantee respect for human dignity.
It is time for Iyombe Central Prison to finally benefit from the necessary investments to offer prisoners a secure, healthy environment conducive to their social reintegration. Every individual, even incarcerated, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, in accordance with the fundamental principles of justice and law. It is the responsibility of the State to guarantee respect for human rights in all circumstances, including within penitentiary establishments.