Gate of Wau Central Prison where Akwac is being held for refusing to accept an arranged marriage. (Photo: Courtesy).

At least 18 inmates, one of whom is a young woman jailed on behave of her fugitive brother, have been released from Wau Central Prison in Western Bahr el Ghazal State after their debts were cleared by a charity organization on Friday.

The convicts including two women and four minors, had completed their jail terms but were unable to clear court fines to enable their release.

On Sunday, the Lukluk Community Association for Development in the state intervened and paid one million South Sudanese pounds to cover their debts.

Marko Agiu, the organization’s Legal Advisor said the body took up the initiative to alleviate the prisoners’ suffering due to overcrowding in the facility.

He calls on well-wishers to extend similar support for the release of inmates who are unable to pay their court fines.

“I would like to encourage charities to contribute to paying the fines of prisoners. We have undertaken this initiative because of the suffering of prisoners in Wau Prison due to overcrowding,” he said.

For his part, Major General George Gedo, Western Bahr el Ghazal’s Prison Director says he asked the association to clear the inmates’ debts.

Speaking to Eye Radio from Wau, the prison official thanked the association and the state’s court for the efforts made.

“I forced them to ask for help to relieve overcrowding by paying fines of less than a thousand. We filed a complaint to reduce overcrowding in the prison,” said General Gedo.

He said the state prison’s capacity is only 200 inmates, while it currently hosts about 900 inmates.

“This organization has initiated to help alleviate overcrowding by paying fines for inmates who their fined less than 100,000 SSP.”

“This organization paid the fines of 18 inmates, including two girls and two boys from the reformatory, two from the women’s prison, and the rest from are men’s prison.”

“The amount paid in court fines is one million South Sudanese pounds The amount paid in court fines is one million South Sudanese pounds. Thanks to the efforts of the court, the number of inmates has now decreased to 800 prisoners.”

Some of the freed inmates have expressed their gratitude to the Lukuk Community Association for Development for aiding their release.

“I thank this organization which secured our release,” said Anguec Madut, who had been in prison for 14 days over unpaid debts.

Another freed inmate is Abuk Makuic, a young woman who was jailed after committed a crime and evaded arrest.

“I am very happy. I was arrested for 23 days in prison with this small baby, I really thank God for what he did to bring us out of prison, what brought me to prison was not my crime, it is for my brother.”

“I thank the organization Lukluk Community Association for Development and the administration of prison service, I was convicted for three months and paid 60,000 SSP, am really so happy and let me hope those of my colleagues that let human beings stay patient like me,” said one man.

In January 2023 lawmakers in Western Bahr el Ghazal state facilitated the release of six female inmates from Wau Central Prison.

Some of them were imprisoned and finned for theft and other petty crimes.

Their release came after the state legislative assembly paid off their fines, amounting to 260 thousand South Sudanese Pounds.