Dozens of inmates from the Boma prison in the West of Democratic Republic of Congo found their way out of the prison.
According to reports from local media outlets, the prisoners took advantage of the loud music that was playing at a funeral in the neighborhood to distract the prison wardens.
Nine inmates were however arrested near the prison but 19 others are still at large. One of those who were rearrested was injured after prison guards fired shots in the air.
The Boma Prison has experienced jail breaks on a number of occasions with locals calling for its renovation.
Meanwhile in Kenya, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has said that the government will allocate more resources to prisons and other correctional facilities to ensure that they are hospitable to prisoners.
“Prisoners are our fellow citizens. They are taken to prison to be integrated back into society — not to die. As such, the rights of all those who come through this process must be respected and their well-being safeguarded. We are now planning to ensure that every inmate has a mattress, a blanket and other necessities,” Matiang’i said while at the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison.
He also delivered Christmas assortments to the 3,000 inmates and announced that all prisoners will be considered for COVID-19 booster jabs.
Sports CS Amina Mohamed who was also at the same function pledged to deliver balls to the inmates so as to support their sporting activities and talent development including creative arts.
“From the drawings I have seen, it is evident there is abundance of talent among inmates that should not go to waste. We will plan with prisons authorities to provide balls and other sporting equipment and encourage those with talent to continue polishing it so that when they come out, they can benefit from their skills,’ CS Amina.
Prisoners Burnt Alive After A Fire Broke Out In A Burundi Prison
