A total of 32 inmates have been released from prisons in Wau, South Sudan, under a justice initiative led by the Community Development Agency (CDA) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The release was carried out under the Justice and Confidence Centre initiative, which provides free legal assistance and legal information to inmates, women, juveniles, victims, and other vulnerable people facing legal challenges. This initiative aims to expand access to justice and support rehabilitation.
The CDA Programs Manager, Marko Agiu, stated that the organization is working to ensure that vulnerable citizens have access to justice, legal representation, and information about their rights. He also mentioned that CDA plans to extend the initiative to Raja County, where it intends to support the release of inmates who meet the required legal criteria. This move is expected to help reduce congestion at prisons and contribute to efforts to improve the administration of justice.
The Deputy Director of Wau Central Prison, Brigadier General John Juma Charles, welcomed the initiative, saying the release would help reduce congestion at the prison. He urged the released inmates not to reoffend, saying their release should be viewed as an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The released inmates, including nine women and seven juveniles, were serving sentences at Wau Central Prison and the women’s prison.
Speaking on behalf of the released inmates, Nyirou Garang thanked CDA and prison authorities for the initiative. She had been serving a six-month sentence and faced a fine of 500,000 South Sudanese Pounds. The release has given her an opportunity to rebuild her life outside prison. Another released inmate, Khamis Anthony, also welcomed the initiative, saying he had been serving a sentence linked to an offence carrying a 300,000 South Sudanese-pound fine.
Legal advocate Linda emphasized that a criminal conviction should not permanently define a person’s identity or prevent them from rebuilding their lives. She urged the released inmates to obey the law, reintegrate peacefully into their communities, and avoid actions that could lead to further arrest or imprisonment. The initiative aims to support rehabilitation and help eligible inmates reintegrate into their communities.
The Justice and Confidence Centre initiative provides free legal assistance and legal information to vulnerable people facing legal challenges. By supporting the release of inmates who meet the required legal criteria, the initiative contributes to efforts to improve the administration of justice and reduce prison congestion. The CDA, with UNDP support, continues to work towards expanding access to justice in South Sudan.
Of the 32 inmates released, 16 were from Wau Central Prison, nine were from the women’s prison, and seven were juveniles. The release is part of a broader effort to support rehabilitation and reintegration, and to help eligible inmates rebuild their lives outside prison. The initiative is a collaboration between the CDA and UNDP, aiming to improve access to justice and support vulnerable citizens in South Sudan.
Key points
- The initiative aims to expand access to justice, support rehabilitation, and reduce prison congestion.
- Thirty-two inmates, including women and juveniles, were released from Wau prisons under the justice initiative.
- The CDA plans to extend the initiative to Raja County to support the release of inmates who meet the required legal criteria.
