One inmate killed, 3 wounded in Rumbek Prison rebellion
By Malith De Them
March 25, 2008 (RUMBEK) – One inmate was killed and three others were killed following a two-day inmates’ rebellion at the prison of Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State; as police tried to restore order.
Citizens of Rumbek town awoke this morning to a sporadic gunfire. Initially, the reason of the shooting was unknown but later it was confirmed that the prisoners were causing trouble inside the prison.
The troubles began on Monday when the prisoners started stoning the officers with stones wounding several of them. Nobody could pass near the prison yesterday as the disgruntled prisoners were throwing stones over the fence.
The prison was cordoned off by the soldiers who were vigilantly keeping watch through out the night in case the prisoners jump over the fence.
On Tuesday morning, the inmates forced their way on the main gate and overpowered the officers on the sentry. Therefore, the officers fired life bullets in the air to scare them, but they still resisted, in order to force them back they were shot.
Three people are reported to have been wounded, and one prisoner was shot dead. This deceased is said to have shot and killed his brother last year in Rumbek East. His body was taken to Rumbek mortuary where his relatives will take it for burial.
The prison which was refurbished recently has been the scene of bloody riots in the past years. Last year alone witnessed two violent rebellions in which many officers were wounded including a Captain (Luis Madit). During last year’s riots more than fifteen prisoners escaped most of them on death row and are now still on the run.
The Lakes government used to transfer some of the prisoners to Wau, especially those on the death row. Last year ten prisoners on death row among them two women were sent to Wau Prison; and those with trivial cases released.
In order to decrease the number of the prisoners, the Government of Lakes State under the leadership of Daniel Awet Akot has settled more than three thousand cases most of them theft and killings cases.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has started renovating Rumbek prison. They have plastered the old wall that the prisoners used to climb over and run.
Rumbek prison is the second oldest prison in Southern after Yambio‘s prison that were built during the colonial period. UNDP is also planning to build training centers for prison officers in various places in Lakes State.
(ST)