The Congolese government has released 600 prisoners from Makala Central Prison, the country’s largest penitentiary, as part of efforts to decongest overcrowded facilities.
The move comes in the wake of a deadly attempted jailbreak earlier this month.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba announced the release on Saturday during a ceremony at the prison in Kinshasa.
The prison, designed for 1,500 inmates, currently houses over 12,000, many of whom are awaiting trial.
The recent jailbreak highlighted the dire conditions at Makala, including overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and poor treatment of inmates.
Authorities have acknowledged the need for reforms and announced plans to construct a new prison.
Among those released were 10 minors and several severely ill inmates.
Many of the freed prisoners expressed gratitude for the opportunity to regain their freedom and escape the harsh conditions of the prison.
Human rights activists and journalists have long criticized the deplorable conditions at Makala, calling for urgent action to improve the situation.
The government’s decision to release prisoners is a step in the right direction, but more comprehensive reforms are needed to address the underlying issues of overcrowding and inadequate facilities.