Constant Mutamba Announces Reforms to End Complacency in Prison Management
The State Minister for Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Constant Mutamba, has declared ongoing changes within the prison administrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During a joint briefing with the Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, held on Monday, January 6, 2024, he stated that these measures aim to establish order and put an end to disorder in these facilities. “The government is providing means to feed the prisoners. We will no longer tolerate complacency. It is now forbidden for a detainee to use a phone, possess knives, or introduce illicit substances into the prisons. We have launched a rigorous reorganization policy, and the new implementations are underway in all prisons. This policy aims to protect the detainees themselves,” declared Constant Mutamba.
Reforming the Prison System
Mutamba emphasized that prisons should be places of social reintegration and not spaces where chaos and illegal privileges reign. He denounced common practices, including the use of stoves, possession of weapons, and commercial activities carried out by detainees. “Prisons are not places to conduct business or manage phones. We must return to the essence of rehabilitation and reintegration. Violations of penitentiary laws and regulations will no longer be tolerated,” he added.
Addressing Rumors and Negligence
The minister also refuted rumors that he had visited the central prison of Makala to target a specific individual. He highlighted that the recently signed presidential pardon is impersonal and aims to alleviate pressure on the prisons. Mutamba warned about the potential consequences of negligence in managing prisons. “Allowing every prisoner to have a stove or a machete is a time bomb. Imagine an incident where these items are used for altercations. It would be catastrophic, and the government would be accused of failing in its mission. Our role is to ensure the security of all, including that of the detainees,” he emphasized.
Challenges and Reforms
Living conditions in Congolese prisons remain challenging due to inadequate infrastructure and limited resources. For example, at Makala prison, detainees with financial means take care of themselves, creating inequalities. Last September, the director of Makala Central Prison, Joseph Yusufu Maliki, was suspended and a search warrant issued against him after a bloody escape attempt. This decision, made by the Minister of Justice after an on-site visit, illustrates the authorities’ determination to restore order in the penitentiary institutions. These reforms aim to transform Congolese prisons into spaces that meet international standards and ensure humane and secure treatment of detainees.