### Spectacular Escape at Cantine: A Reflection on the Security of Prisons in North Kivu
On the night of January 23, 13 inmates took advantage of the dilapidated state of the dungeon of the Cantine police station, located about fifty kilometers from Beni, to orchestrate a spectacular escape. This incident raises crucial questions about the security of prisons in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and highlights broader systemic problems with the country’s justice and penal system.
#### An Escape that Demonstrates the Flaws of the System
Attention is first drawn to the dilapidated state of the dungeon itself, dating from the colonial era. Authorities have confirmed that the fragile and degraded wall was the key to this escape. This raises the question: how many other facilities in the country share this sad fate? According to a 2022 report by Human Rights Watch, many prisons and dungeons in the DRC suffer from overcrowding, inadequate equipment, and aging infrastructure. These deplorable conditions not only increase the risk of escapes, but also worsen the inhumane treatment of detainees.
To put this into perspective, it is estimated that approximately 90% of Congolese prisons exceed their capacity. In a context where penal institutions are already overcrowded, the risk of seeing dangerous individuals escape quickly turns into a real threat to public safety.
#### A Call for Vigilance
Tchetche Musubao, president of a local civic organization, called on the population to report any suspicious presence after this escape. While this call for vigilance is crucial, it also raises ethical concerns. In a country divided by internal conflicts and social tensions, the risk of stigmatization or false accusations could exacerbate mistrust between communities. Security services must operate with caution and discernment, so as not to aggravate an already volatile situation.
In response to the escape, the local police commander took the controversial step of releasing the four inmates who remained in the cell, describing them as individuals arrested for minor offences. This decision calls into question the management of the penal system and raises questions about the process of categorizing offences. If these individuals were, in fact, judged not to present an immediate danger, why were they imprisoned in such a risky and precarious environment?
#### Assessing the Profile of the Escapees
The police have committed to conducting investigations to determine the potential dangerousness of the escapees. Statistics provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime suggest that a significant number of prisoners in the country are accused of violent crimes.. Particular attention must be paid to the nature of the crimes attributed to these escapees and, consequently, to the urgency of finding them before they cause harm to the population.
This also illustrates the need for the judicial authorities to strengthen internal security mechanisms and to redefine the management of sentences, obviously in terms of rehabilitation. Participating in monitoring repeat offenders, for example, could help adapt the penal response and facilitate successful reintegration into society.
#### Conclusion: A System to Reform
In a country where already weakened structures must deal with emanations of insecurity, the escape of the 13 Cantine inmates is a symptom of a much deeper pain. A systemic reform of the penal system is imperative, including improving infrastructure, separating inmates according to the type of crime, and better support for people who have served their sentence.
It is essential to go beyond reactive post-crisis actions and adopt a proactive vision, emphasizing dialogue between the population and law enforcement. Only a joint effort will be able to strengthen security and build trust between the different entities that make up civil society. In this context, the vigilance of the population, as Musubao stressed, must be based on sustainable solutions rather than ad hoc responses, to ensure real security in the North Kivu region and beyond.