RUBAVU - The government last week transferred 1,047 inmates from Gisenyi prison to Karubanda prison in the Southern Province. The move was meant to ease congestion at the Rubavu-based correctional facility. Sources say that Gisenyi prison has been home to more than 4,000 prisoners, yet it was designed to accommodate less than 2,000. “We took the decision because the place was congested and it had compromised sanitation standards in town,” Pierre Celestin Twagirayezu, Rubavu District Mayor said.
RUBAVU - The government last week transferred 1,047 inmates from Gisenyi prison to Karubanda prison in the Southern Province. The move was meant to ease congestion at the Rubavu-based correctional facility.
Sources say that Gisenyi prison has been home to more than 4,000 prisoners, yet it was designed to accommodate less than 2,000. "We took the decision because the place was congested and it had compromised sanitation standards in town,” Pierre Celestin Twagirayezu, Rubavu District Mayor said.
"The remaining inmates are still on trial meaning that we have only transferred those already convicted.”
Some of the inmates, who spoke to The New Times, welcomed the transfer, saying there were accommodation problems due to congestion.
Recently, while visiting Gisenyi Prison, the Commissioner of the National Prisons Services, Mary Gahonzire, revealed plans to move Gisenyi prison from the town centre to Nyakiriba sector in Rubavu which is more spacious.
The management of Gisenyi prison say the construction of the new facility could be completed by June.
Ends