Authorities in DR Congo have announced the release of about 600 prisoners from the country’s central prison to alleviate overcrowding.
The Justice Minister, Constant Mutamba, announced at a ceremony at Makala Prisons in Kinshasa that plans were underway to build a new prison in the capital.
Makala prison, which has a capacity for 1,500 people, currently houses over 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International.
A recent attempted jailbreak resulted in 129 deaths, with reports suggesting a higher death toll of over 200. There were also reports of several women being raped during the incident.
Inmates had been enduring poor conditions, including inadequate beds, insufficient food, and sanitation issues. Mutamba also disclosed plans to examine the cases of all minors at the prison for potential releases, as well as those of severely ill inmates.