** Title: The release of 69 detainees in MBANZA-NGUNGU: A light of hope in the Congolese penitentiary system **
On March 25, 2025, a symbolic moment occurred in the central prison of Mbanza-Ngungu, a locality in the heart of the Kongo-Central, where nearly 69 detainees-including a woman-found freedom thanks to a presidential pardon granted by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. This event, much more than a simple release, raises questions and offers an overview of the challenges and hopes linked to the reform of the penitentiary system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This apparently simple gesture is indeed the culmination of a political desire to unclog prisons, which are often overcrowded, and to promote the social reintegration of the ancient prisoners. According to the penitentiary administration report in 2023, Congolese prisons welcomed nearly 120 % of excess prisoners, a situation which has caused conditions of detention often criticized by human rights organizations.
With a ceremony presided over by figures such as Willy Makumbani, administrator of the territory of Mbanza-Ngungu, and Antoine Phukuta, prosecutor near the prosecution, the release of these prisoners represents a turning point in the Congolese approach to rehabilitation. “Avoid any recurrence,” urged the prosecutor at the time of the issuance of release documents. A call to responsibility, not only of the beneficiaries, but also of civil society which must offer them a chance to reintegrate with dignity.
However, statistics reveal another facet of this reality: successful reintegration remains a challenge. Studies indicate that in average, between 20 and 30 % of the freed recurrences in the two years which follow their release from prison. The trend shows that without adequate community support and reception structures, the risk of return to crime is high. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the stigma which often suffers from the former prisoners, who are refused job opportunities, which pushes them to fall back into illegal behaviors.
In addition, this release is part of a broader logic of penitentiary reform which aims to rethink the Congolese strategy in matters of justice and reintegration. Indeed, in December 2024, the order signed by President Tshisekedi not only enabled prisoners to benefit from a collective grace, but it also paved the way for a more human approach in terms of penology.
By comparison, other countries in the region, such as Rwanda, have recently implemented reintegration programs focused on vocational training and awareness of local communities. This model has significantly reduced recurrence rates and can offer avenues for reflection for Congo. A collaboration between NGOs, local governments and school institutions could thus prove to be essential to facilitate the reintegration of the liberated.
Finally, the release of the 69 detainees in Mbanza-Ngungu is also an opportunity to recall the key role that society plays in the acceptance of these former prisoners. Their journeys, often marked by social or economic violence, must be heard and understood. The Congolese company, assuming its share of responsibility, can contribute to sealing a new social pact, turned towards rehabilitation rather than punishment.
In short, this recent initiative is a capital step in the transformation of the Congolese penitentiary system. It testifies to the growing recognition of human issues linked to imprisonment and the desire to integrate detainees into the social fabric. The real test now lies in the ability to guarantee that these freed people are really supported on the path of reintegration, so as to build a fairer and more inclusive society.