Inmates at Nyakiriba Prison commend the living conditions in the new detention facility where they were transferred from the former Gisenyi Prison.

During a visit by the Minister of Internal Security, Musa Fazil Harerimana, and Commissioner General of the prison service, Mary Gahonzire, the inmates highlighted the advantages of the new facility.

Auxille Ntashamaje, the head of the prisoners in the facility, observed that new premises have more space.

"While we were still in Gisenyi, some inmates would have swollen legs due to lack of enough space and exercise; but that has been solved,” added Ntashamaje.

The new prison accommodates 2,749 inmates, 1,253 of them Genocide convicts.

The Minister attributed the 40 percent reduction of diseases to the good environment of the prison’s location and general improvement in prisoners’ welfare.

"Most of the challenges have been dealt with, but the major problems are administrative, which we can work together to overcome,” he said.

The prison was built with manpower from inmates, saving the government over Rwf 1 billion worth of labour.

"We want to focus on peat energy, biogas other than firewood, in order to maintain our environment as well as, making sure we produce at least 30 percent of the food we consume in this prison,” Gahonzire said.

The tour is part of a fact-finding visit to all prisons in the country.

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