Photo: Myriam Asmani/MONUSCO

Mbandaka, 12 September 2011 – A delegation from the Corrections Unit of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) was in Mbandaka, capital of Equateur province, on 12 September during which they discussed with local authorities on the conditions of prisoners in local prisons. Previous mission assessments conducted by MONUSCO experts revealed that the conditions of prisoners below acceptable standards.

Led by the Head of the Corrections Unit, Patience Sai, the delegation met with the provincial interim governor, Vincent Mokako, and a representative of the Permanent Office of the Provincial Assembly of Equateur, as well as with a number of officials from UN agencies and Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) working on prison matters.

The local authorities who share the same concerns as the UN officials also raised the issue of prisons' security, and suggested the creation of a parliamentary sub-committee tasked specifically with addressing prison issues. Prison escapes are common in Equateur, largely because of the inadequacy of security measures in place, and also due to the advanced dilapidation state of the prisons. Consequently, the delegation urged the Governor to speed up the on-going training for prison guards.

The delegation, however, expressed its gratitude to the provincial authorities for their recent decision to allocate funds specifically to improve the diet of inmates. Ms. Sai described this decision as "an initiative worthy of praise and encouragement."

The Acting Governor said he was encouraged by the convergence of views between his constituents and MONUSCO regarding prison conditions in Equateur. Mr. Mokako, who depicted the situation of prisons as "an embarrassment to the Equateur province", assured the delegation that he would act swiftly to complete the training of prison guards.

The UN delegation ended its mission by a visit to the central prison of Mbandaka, where they made a donation of mattresses and kitchen utensils.