(JUBA) – Senior officials visited Juba Central Prison on Friday to listen to concerns from inmates and offer support. The delegation was led by Presidential Envoy Hon Adut Salva Kiir and Central Equatoria State Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel.
They said the visit was aimed at helping inmates with minor offences to be released and easing the pressure caused by overcrowding.
Hon Adut told inmates that prison should be a place of reform, not despair. She said many prisoners are young people who still have a future ahead of them if they choose to change. She brought basic supplies and encouraged inmates to stay calm and respectful while serving their sentences.
Governor Mujung said he plans to continue visiting prisons, children’s hospitals and orphanages to see where help is most needed. He urged prisoners to act as peace messengers when they are released and warn others against crime.
Prison officials said they are facing difficult conditions due to outdated facilities and limited resources. Maj Gen Joseph Benjamin, who heads Juba Central Prison, said food is scarce and there is no farmland for inmates to grow their own crops.
He said the facility owes a water bill of 47 million South Sudanese Pounds, equal to about six thousand six hundred United States Dollars at current rates, which Hon Adut helped to clear.
| Amount | Local Currency (SSP) | Equivalent in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Cleared Water Bill | 47,000,000 SSP | Approx. $6,620 |
He suggested building a new secure prison and modern training centres so inmates can gain skills before release. He also asked for the prison to be exempted from future utility bills.
The Director General of the National Prison Service, Lt Gen Henry Kuany, thanked Hon Adut for her repeated support. He said urgent steps are needed to reduce crowding in prisons across the country.
Inmates said the visit made them feel recognised. Women prisoners raised concerns over poor health services and delays in court cases. They said some mothers are still caring for babies inside prison and need special attention.
Juba Central Prison currently holds almost three thousand inmates, well above its capacity.
Hon Adut and Governor Mujung Visit Juba Central Prision
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Location | Juba County, South Sudan |
| Visit Date | 26 September 2025 |
| Key Officials Present | Hon Adut Salva Kiir (Presidential Envoy), Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel |
| Purpose of Visit | Address inmate concerns, encourage reform, consider release of inmates with minor offences |
| Prison Population | Nearly 3,000 inmates |
| Main Challenges Reported | Overcrowding, food shortages, health issues, lack of farmland, unpaid utility bills |
| Cleared Water Bill | 47,000,000 SSP (Approx. $6,620) |
| Key Requests from Prison Officials | Construction of new secure prison, modern vocational centres, exemption from utility bills |
| Inmate Reactions | Positive; expressed gratitude and hope |
| Special Concerns Raised by Female Inmates | Poor health care, slow court trials, hardship for mothers with babies |
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