(WARRAP) – Inmates at Liet-Nhom Central Prison in South Sudan’s Warrap State are living in extremely difficult conditions, raising serious concerns over human rights and public health. A recent visit by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has shed light on the urgent need for prison reforms and better infrastructure in the country.
The prison suffers from chronic overcrowding, a lack of basic sanitation, and unsafe housing. One of the prison officials, Bedaj Bandak, explained the severity of the situation to the UNMISS team.
“We literally do not have a roof over our heads,” he said. “We also don’t have running water, so inmates have no choice but to go to the rivers, and the lack of toilets and bathrooms makes matters worse.”
Without access to clean water or toilets, hygiene levels have dropped significantly, contributing to widespread health concerns. Over 20 individuals are crammed into single cells, forcing most prisoners to spend their time outside exposed to the weather with no shelter and no privacy.
| Prison Conditions at Liet-Nhom Central | Status |
|---|---|
| Roof over detention areas | Not available |
| Toilets and bathrooms | None |
| Access to clean water | Severely limited |
| Healthcare access | Limited and irregular |
| Cell overcrowding | 20+ per cell |
| Female and juvenile protections | Inadequate |
| 24-hour surveillance | Not available |
| Risk during rainy season | High |
A female inmate expressed her daily fear, saying, “We live in constant fear of everything, including getting sick, as there is no healthcare available at the prison.” When illness strikes, detainees are only taken to health centres if vehicles and staff are available, a resource that is rarely guaranteed.
These dire conditions also compromise the safety of vulnerable groups, particularly women and juvenile offenders. The lack of proper surveillance makes it difficult for prison staff to maintain order or offer any form of protection to those most at risk.
UNMISS called on state authorities to prioritise improvements, especially with the arrival of the rainy season, which further increases health risks such as malaria. Precious Chinamasa, a Corrections Officer with UNMISS who visits the facility regularly, described the conditions as part of a broader national problem.
“Similar conditions prevail in many prisons across South Sudan,” she said.
Visibly moved by what she witnesses, Chinamasa called for immediate action.
“It is heartbreaking to witness these struggles and we will continue advocating with authorities to strengthen their support to the prison system. To truly reform and reintegrate into society upon their release, prisoners must be treated humanely and with dignity.”
Liet-Nhom is not the only facility in crisis. Across South Sudan, prisons suffer from the same issues of inadequate infrastructure, insufficient healthcare and a lack of investment in rehabilitation. According to UNMISS observers, improving prison conditions is not only a legal responsibility but essential for long term peace and stability.
The UN’s efforts, while consistent, face limitations without increased support from the national and state governments.