Inmates in Malakal prison - credit | Michael Daniel/Eye Radio - December 6, 2021

Over 12,000 people are currently languishing in overcrowded prisons across South Sudan with Juba, Wau and Rumbek central prisons the most overcrowded, a prison official said.

General Henry Kuany Aguar, the Director-General of National Prison Service said the inmates include some 1,014 juveniles and 55 mentally ill persons.

Authorities have often blamed the overcrowding at prison facilities on delayed trials of inmates on remand by the judiciary.

General Kuany said the prison facilities are in shambles over numerous challenges including maintenance, security, access to water, healthcare and sanitation services are the major challenges the facilities face.

The prison official was speaking during the graduation of inmates at Juba Vocational Training Center on Wednesday.

“There are a total of 12,863 prisoners in custody. Most of the prisons especially Juba, Wau and Rumbek are physically overcrowded,” he said.

“This leads to serious situation in the prison system. At the existing prison facilities, inmates overstay has caused adverse effect of general living condition including access to water, healthcare and sanitation services.”

General Henry Kuany further stated that the National Prison Service South Sudan has a total of 92 central prisons and 13 county prisons in the ten states and three administrative areas.

For his part, the Deputy Minister of Interior David Marial promised to work closely with the prison administration and development partners to address some of the challenges facing the institution.

“We will continue to support your work as a new team. Me and Hon. Angelina have a task to make sure the services delivery throughout our institution is granted, together with our partners, we will be able to achieve more and more.”