Kinshasa: Makala Prison Holds 299 Women and 229 Children in Conflict with the Law

Kinshasa’s Makala central prison holds 16,238 detainees, including 299 women and 229 children in conflict with the law, according to director André Kanza wa Kanza. During a visit on October 15, 2026, Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali and Prosecutor General Firmin Mvonde Mambu observed overcrowding and deteriorating facilities; some women said eight detainees shared one bed, and mothers were held with their young children. Built for 1,500 people, the prison now holds more than ten times its intended capacity. The minister said officials would consider measures to protect and support children, ease overcrowding, and review cases for possible release, including on humanitarian grounds.