Fatshimetrie: Diving into the heart of the prison crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The prison crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighted by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), reveals a reality of alarming gravity. Recent reports highlight inhumane detention conditions and tragic consequences, with the death of 41 detainees last October, including 39 in North Kivu.
As part of our investigation entitled “Fatshimetrie”, we delved into the heart of these overcrowded prisons, revealing a system plagued by multiple dysfunctions. For example, the Makala central prison in Kinshasa, designed to accommodate 1,500 detainees, currently houses more than 12,000 people, a staggering overcrowding of more than 800%. This overcrowding leads to glaring deficiencies in terms of food, hygiene and medical care, transforming these places of detention into real death traps.
The situation in Congolese prisons is exacerbated by the persistence of armed conflicts and unstable areas, as is the case in North Kivu. In Masisi prison, for example, more than 26 inmates have died since the beginning of 2023, victims of malnutrition and lack of medical care. This harrowing reality testifies to the nightmarish scene that plays out daily behind the bars of these dilapidated prisons.
Faced with this alarming picture, the Congolese government is trying to react by putting in place measures to decongest prisons. In July 2024, the Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, oversaw the release of several inmates in Makala, in the hope of easing the pressure on these overwhelmed facilities. However, these actions remain largely insufficient to resolve the structural crisis that is undermining the Congolese prison system.
“Fatshimetrie” is committed to continuing its investigation into this crucial issue, by giving a voice to victims and field actors and by highlighting the complex issues of justice and human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is more essential than ever to raise public awareness of this unsustainable reality, in order to push the authorities to take concrete measures to thoroughly reform the Congolese prison system.