By David Philip Baguru | Voice of Hope Radio – Wau
A total of 32 inmates, including women and juveniles, have been released from prisons in Wau under a justice initiative led by the Community Development Agency, CDA, with support from UNDP.
The release was carried out under the Justice and Confidence Centre initiative, which provides free legal assistance and legal information to inmates, women, juveniles, victims and other vulnerable people facing legal challenges.
Speaking during the release, CDA Programs Manager Marko Agiu said the organization is working to ensure that vulnerable citizens have access to justice, legal representation and information about their rights.
He said CDA also plans to extend the initiative to Raja County, where it intends to support the release of inmates who meet the required legal criteria.
Clip 1 – CDA Representative
The Deputy Director of Wau Central Prison, Brigadier General John Juma Charles, welcomed the initiative, saying the release would help reduce congestion at the prison and contribute to efforts to improve the administration of justice.
Juma Charles urged the released inmates not to reoffend, saying their release should be viewed as an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Speaking on behalf of the released inmates, Nyirou Garang thanked CDA and prison authorities for the initiative.
She said she had been serving a six-month sentence and faced a fine of 500,000 South Sudanese Pounds, adding that the release has given her an opportunity to rebuild her life outside prison.
Another released inmate, Khamis Anthony, also welcomed the initiative, saying he had been serving a sentence linked to an offence carrying a 300,000 South Sudanese-pound fine and had experienced hardship during his detention.
Meanwhile, legal advocate Linda said a criminal conviction should not permanently define a person’s identity or prevent them from rebuilding their lives.
She urged the released inmates to obey the law, reintegrate peacefully into their communities and avoid actions that could lead to further arrest or imprisonment.
Of the 32 inmates released, nine were from the women’s prison, seven were juveniles and 16 were from Wau Central Prison.
The initiative is aimed at expanding access to justice, supporting rehabilitation, reducing prison congestion and helping eligible inmates reintegrate into their communities.