Songololo, 31 October 2012 - Two new wings added to Songololo prison, located in the "district des Cataractes", some 70 km from Matadi, capital of Bas-Congo province, were inaugurated on Wednesday, 31 October.

The new cell blocks, respectively for women and minor detainees, were constructed by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) through its quick impact project funds.

This work was an initiative of the United Nations Joint Office in Bas-Congo, undertaken through MONUSCO Corrections unit, at the request of "Fraternité des Prisons en RDC", a local NGO. The total cost of the project was $14,950.

The objective was to provide separate prison quarters for men, women and under-aged detainees. The separation of inmates by sex and age categories is highly recommended by local as well as the United Nations legislations through an international benchmark instrument dated 1955 and titled "Minimum set of rules for the treatment of prisoners".

The territorial administrator, Eloi Kiamdendo, expressed gratitude to MONUSCO as well as to the implementation partner for the partial refurbishment of this prison facility, which was built in 1959. Before the renovation, "Inmates were living in the most appalling conditions," Mr. Kiamdendo said.

According to the Coordinator of the United Nations Joint Office, Hendrik Bruyn, "this contribution makes the prison look more presentable, even if there are still challenges to meet as indicated on the list of needs for Songololo prison." "We believe that we made a modest but meaningful contribution in light of the various constraints," he added.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Justice Minister's advisor in charge of Health and Human Rights, the administrator of the territory of Songololo and MONUSCO delegation lead by Mr. Bruyn.

Maïmouna Traoré/ MONUSCO