DR Congo Frees Hundreds of Seriously Ill Prisoners to Ease Overcrowding in Notorious Makala Prison

In a critical effort to address overcrowding in the Democratic Republic of Congo's notorious Makala Prison, the government has released 1,685 "seriously ill" inmates. This large-scale release began on Sunday in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital, as part of an urgent initiative to alleviate the inhumane conditions in one of the country’s most infamous detention centers. The move comes after a tragic attempted jailbreak earlier this month that resulted in the deaths of 129 prisoners. Some of the victims were shot by security forces, while others died in a chaotic crush as they tried to escape the overcrowded prison. The jailbreak underscored the dire conditions within Makala, prompting the government to expedite its plans to reduce the prison population. Makala Prison, built in the 1950s to hold 1,500 inmates, had been holding at least 12,000 people prior to the jailbreak, according to various estimates. The severe overcrowding, lack of proper sanitation, and inadequate medical care have led to conditions described as "true hell." One former inmate, Stanis Bujakera, compared the facility to a "concentration camp" where detainees were essentially sent to die.

Images shared on the justice ministry’s Facebook page capture the devastating state of many of those released. One particularly striking photograph shows an emaciated man, his leg wrapped in filthy bandages, being wheeled out in a wheelbarrow. Another image depicts dozens of malnourished men, many bearing open wounds. A video features a prisoner, too weak to stand, expressing gratitude to Justice Minister Constant Mutamba and vowing to change his life and avoid future criminal behavior. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has been at the forefront of the government’s efforts to decongest the prison. He has pledged that all those in need of medical attention will receive treatment, while others will be sent home on government-provided buses. This is not the first such release from Makala, as Mutamba had previously ordered the release of hundreds of other inmates in his mission to reduce the prison population. The decision to release these seriously ill prisoners has been hailed as a humanitarian move. Emmanuel Adu Cole, head of the Bill Clinton Foundation for Peace—a local NGO focused on improving prison conditions—welcomed the release but stressed that more must be done to address the systemic issues plaguing the country's prisons. He called for a comprehensive review of the prison system, including an overhaul of the legal framework that has left many prisoners languishing in detention without trial.

The overcrowding crisis in Makala, and DR Congo's prisons more broadly, has long been acknowledged by officials. The country’s legal system is plagued by delays, and it’s estimated that only 6% of prisoners in Makala are actually serving sentences. The majority are awaiting trial, stuck in legal limbo as their cases drag on for years. Some government officials have pointed to magistrates as part of the problem, accusing them of sending suspects to prison rather than seeking alternative legal solutions, which exacerbates the already dire overcrowding. In addition to Makala, Kinshasa has one other major prison: the military prison of N’dole, which has an official capacity of 500 but is similarly overwhelmed. With a population of over 14 million, the need for significant reform in the country’s detention facilities is evident. The recent events at Makala highlight the urgent need for reforms in DR Congo’s criminal justice system. The government’s decision to release seriously ill prisoners is a step in the right direction, but long-term solutions are required to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies. As more efforts are made to reduce prison overcrowding and improve conditions, there is hope that DR Congo can move toward a more humane and just system for its inmates.