45 prisoners released from jail in Rumbek

By Manyang Mayom

February 8, 2008 (RUMBEK) – Forty-five (45) prisoners were released last Tuesday from Lakes State Central Prison by Judge Kurkur Patiya, from the Supreme Court of Greater Bhar-El-Gazal in Lakes state.

The release of the prisoners came in as the government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) established a special court last year in an effort to reduce the trend of rising crimes in Lakes State caused by persistent inter-tribal clashes and inter-clan clashes.

Insecurity had tied the hands of the Lakes state government and many have complained that the latter is unable to deliver services to its citizens. However since the crackdown by southern Sudan army to weed out pockets of insecurity services have improved.

The governor, Daniel Awet, has been praised for spreading security in different parts of the Lakes State. According to some executives’ members in Lakes state, the cabinet decided to make 2008 “a year for development”.

Patiya is a member of the judges touring the state in an effort to cut down the number of prisoners in the South. Patiya said the prisoners were released because the evidence against them was weak and provided no basis for prosecution.

A Lakes official told Sudan Tribune that among the 45 prisoners released, some were charged with adultery while others were accused of cattle theft in addition to some murder cases. The time these prisoners spent in jail ranged from a few months to a couple of years he added.

“Life in Prison is very useless life…we were been treated like dogs by prisons officers throughout the time we spent, we have organized many protests inside the prison asking for our rights and the authorities refused to listen to us…now I am free and I’m appealing to all females and males to distance themselves from trouble making;” a former prisoner said.

(ST)