Congo frees 600 inmates at main prison in a bid to ease overcrowding
Authorities in Congo say 600 prisoners in the country's main prison have been freed as part of a process aimed at decongesting overcrowded prisons
By JEAN-YVES KAMALE
Published - Sep 21, 2024, 02:50 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 07:02 PM EST
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Authorities in Congo said they released 600 prisoners in the country's main prison on Saturday as part of a process aimed at decongesting overcrowded prisons.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba announced the move during a ceremony at Makala Central Prison in Congo's capital, Kinshasha.
There are plans for construction of a new prison in Kinshasa, he said, without giving more details.
Makala prison, Congo’s largest penitentiary with a capacity for 1,500 people, holds more than 12,000 inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial, Amnesty International said in its latest country report.
