The conditions in many African prisons are harsh and difficult for inmates, comparatively speaking, prisons in Africa are among the worst in the world. Here are the 7 worst prisons in Africa:
7. Black Beach Prison, Equatorial Guinea
This prison is synonymous with guard brutality, malnutrition, human right offenses, overcrowding, rat infestations, Overpopulation, no healthcare, little food. It is common for prisoners to die from chronic disease.
It has a reputation for systematically neglecting and brutalising inmates. Medical treatment is usually denied to inmates and food rations are said to be meager.
The President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is a former Governor of Black Beach Prison and his uncle and predecessor, Francisco Macías Nguema, was executed here after he was overthrown in a 1979 coup d'état.
6. Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya
Situated on a 1,200 acre lot, this prison has gained notoriety due to the unspeakable squalor that the prisoners are subjected to.
The prison, which holds a number of political prisoners, has earned a reputation for instances of sodomy, beating of inmates to death, and epidemics where malnutrition, cholera, and ulcers were normal occurrences.
Many executions have been carried out in Kamiti.
Mau Mau rebel leader Dedan Kimathi was hanged by British colonial administration on 18 February 1957.
Hezekiah Ochuka and Pancras Oteyo Okumu were executed there on 17 May 1987.
5. Nairobi Prison, Kenya
Built in 1911 for 800 prisoners, which boomed to 3,000 in 2003, this prison is one of the most congested in Africa. The prison cells reek of sweat, human waste, and filth with the stench of garbage hanging in the air. Generally, living conditions in the prison has made it a struggle for the prisoners to be physically and mentally healthy.
4. The Mukobeko maximum prison, Zambia
Mukobeko maximum prison cell was originally built to accommodate one inmate per cell. However, now it holds up to 15 prisoners. With little ventilation, the prison often experience outbreaks of diseases such as tuberculosis etc.
The prison is also known for its guard brutality, malnutrition, rat infestations, Overpopulation, etc.
3. Kirikiri Maximum prison, Nigeria
The Kirikiri Maximum Secuity Prison, the most popular prison in Nigeria is infamous for its congestion. Besides the problem of overcrowding, as there could be up to 50 inmates in cells intended for fewer people, it is also infamous for its degrading treatment of prisoners , appalling living conditions, sub-standard medical care, and a very high death rate.
As of March 2018, the prison held approximately 5,700 prisoners, 3,700 of whom had been awaiting trial for five years or more. Notable inmates linked to this prison include: Opaka Oluwatobiloba, Chief Bode George, C lifford Orji, A l-Mustapha, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Olusegun Obasanjo, Nonso Atuikpo, Samuel Hansen.
2. Kinshasha, penitentiary, Congo
Kinshasha Penitentiary is a prison in Congo with more than 850 prisoners packed like sardines into a facility built for 150. Inmates sleep in hallways, near septic tanks etc disease outbreaks is a daily occurence in the prison.
In 2009, The prison was named the worst in Africa, by a top United Nations human rights official.
1. Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Zimbabwe
Chukurubi max prison is the largest correctional facility in Zimbabwe. Located on the outskirts of the country’s capital. It houses about 17 000 prisoners (both men and women), the Cells typically measure 9 metres (30 ft) by 4 metres (13 ft), .. and there can be as many as
40 prisoners housed in each cell.
Chikurubi maximum prison Just like the other prisons on this list, is known for its overcrowding, guard brutality, malnutrition, overcrowding, no healthcare, and poor sanitary conditions. Prisoners here spend much of the day locked up and have few recreational opportunities.