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

The prison authorities in Wau town of Western Bahr el Ghazal State say overcrowding of inmates at the main prison has forced the prisoners to sleep in rotation.

The Director of Wau Central Prison Major General George Gabriel Gilo said the prison was initially built to accommodate 200 inmates.

However, General Gilo now says the prison has 800 inmates, leading to overcrowding and diseases outbreak among the inmates.

He added that the facility is the only main prison accommodating convicts from the entire Bahr el Ghazal region.

“It is the only prison in the Greater Bahr al-Ghazal region, where prisoners are transferred from the rest of the prisons in the region, in addition to crimes committed here in Wau,” Gilo told Eye Radio on Friday.

“This crowd created an atmosphere that could push the inmates to take turns sleeping in the place.”

General Gilo also said the situation “has forced us to open the cell doors for the inmates to sleep in the prison yard. And we sit with them under the trees and near the offices.”

He said most of the criminals were convicted of crimes like rape, sexual assault, and theft among others.

He further added that most of the inmates are aged between 15 and 30 years.

The director appeals for the construction of a larger facility to decongest the Central Prison.

Wau Central prison of Western Bahr el Ghazal state was built during the colonial era of 1930.