A spectacular escape occurred at the Iyombe prison in Inongo, the capital of the Maï-Ndombe province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the night of Wednesday, September 24, 2026. According to Puis Biakompolo, the interim director of the prison, 31 out of 38 inmates escaped after breaking the central door. The prison, built in 1928, is in a deplorable state, with crumbling walls, broken windows, and a partially collapsed roof.
The escape took place in a context of weak security deployment, with the police and security forces having withdrawn from the prison on the orders of their superiors. Biakompolo had reportedly alerted his superiors to the inadequate security, but his concerns were not addressed. He stated that only one police officer was left to guard the prison, who was later relieved by two other elements. The inmates took advantage of the situation to break free.
The prison's deplorable state has been a concern for over a decade. The walls are fissured and on the verge of collapse, while the windows and doors are made of wood and easily breakable. The building that previously served as an audience room is now overgrown with weeds, and there is no guard post for the police. The inmates have apparently become accustomed to the situation, with some reportedly choosing to remain in the prison voluntarily.
This is not the first escape to occur at the Iyombe prison. In June 2026, 17 inmates escaped after breaking a window, while in August 2026, five inmates escaped in broad daylight after dislodging a cracked wall. The repeated escapes have raised concerns about the prison's security and the need for urgent repairs. Biakompolo emphasized that the prison needs to be refurbished, citing its deplorable state.
The escape has raised questions about the authorities' response to the situation. Biakompolo stated that he had written a letter to his superiors alerting them to the security concerns, but it was not acted upon in time. The authorities have yet to comment on the escape and the measures they will take to prevent future incidents.
The Iyombe prison is expected to be 100 years old in a few years, having been built in 1928. Its current state is a far cry from its original purpose, with the infrastructure no longer able to withstand even minor shocks. The prison's condition has become a pressing concern, with calls for urgent repairs to prevent further escapes and ensure the safety of both the inmates and the surrounding community.
The situation at the Iyombe prison highlights the broader challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo's prison system. The country's prisons are often overcrowded and underfunded, with inadequate security and poor living conditions. The escape of 31 inmates from the Iyombe prison is a stark reminder of the need for urgent reforms to address these issues and prevent future incidents.
Key points
- The Iyombe prison in Inongo is in a deplorable state, with crumbling walls, broken windows, and a partially collapsed roof.
- Thirty-one inmates escaped from the prison after breaking the central door, amid concerns over inadequate security.
- The prison's condition has become a pressing concern, with calls for urgent repairs to prevent further escapes and ensure safety.
