By Alan Clement
Gen. Henry Akuany, head of South Sudan’s prison service, has raised alarm over budget shortfalls, poor inmate welfare, and overcrowding across the country’s 92 prison facilities.
Speaking during a visit by the Special Presidential Envoy, Adut Salva Kiir to prisons in Juba, the Director General of NPSSS revealed that the Service currently manages 92 prisons across the country, housing over 13,000 inmates.
“Despite our efforts to manage the facilities, challenges remain. The budget is insufficient, which has led to poor feeding, inadequate medical services, and logistical constraints such as uniforms and transport for senior officers,” Akuany said in a statement.
A prisoners’ representative raised further concerns about deteriorating conditions inside the facilities. He cited overcrowding as a major issue, which has resulted in water shortages, disease outbreaks, and limited access to treatment. “The majority of inmates remain on remand, awaiting trial. This delays justice and contributes to the rising numbers inside prisons,” he said.
Adut Salva Kiir emphasized that prisoners, regardless of the offenses they are accused or convicted of, remain human beings entitled to dignity, compassion, and human treatment.
She underscored the importance of upholding basic rights within correctional facilities, noting that incarceration should not equate to neglect or dehumanization.
“Despite their circumstances, prisoners deserve dignity and humane treatment,” she said in a statement, assuring inmates that her office remains open to receive their concerns.
During her tour of the men’s, women’s, and juvenile sections, Adut pledged targeted support for juveniles charged with petty crimes, promising to work toward their release while encouraging rehabilitation.
“Change may not come instantly, but I am committed to making incremental improvements,” she added.
Her impromptu visit, welcomed by both inmates and prison authorities, highlighted the urgent need for reforms to improve conditions within South Sudan’s strained prison system.