47 Prisoners Escape from Overcrowded DR Congo Jail in Idiofa
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have confirmed that 47 inmates escaped from Idiofa Central Prison in the country’s southwest during the night of Monday, August 11 to Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
The jailbreak occurred in a facility built in 1937 under Belgian colonial rule, which officials say is severely dilapidated and overcrowded.
How the Escape Happened
According to Arsene Kasiama, coordinator of a local civil society organisation, the prison was holding 104 inmates before the breakout. The escapees were confined in one of the two remaining cells, where overcrowding and poor ventilation caused suffocating conditions.
“Because they were suffocating, they breached the wall and fled,” Kasiama told AFP.
He added that the officer on duty fired several shots in an attempt to stop the escape but none of the fugitives were hit.
Prison Conditions Under Scrutiny
Idiofa administrator Adelard Kintolo confirmed the incident and admitted that the prison is in critical disrepair.
“The fence is there, but it won’t hold much longer; the walls are worn out. We ask the government to consider building a new prison facility to improve detention conditions,” Kintolo said.
Prisoner rights groups have long criticized the DRC’s detention system, citing overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and lack of basic amenities as key issues.
Recurring Problem of Jailbreaks in the DRC
Prison breaks are common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where many facilities date back to the colonial era and are no longer fit for purpose. Overcrowding is rampant, with many inmates awaiting trial for extended periods due to slow judicial processes.
The Idiofa breakout adds to a growing list of jailbreaks in the country:
- In recent years, dozens of inmates have escaped from prisons in Keffi, Bukavu, and Beni.
- The National Committee on Prisons has reported thousands of mentally ill inmates in custody, often without access to proper medical care.
Call for Urgent Reform
Human rights advocates are urging the Congolese government to:
- Invest in new prison facilities
- Improve security measures
- Address overcrowding through judicial reforms
- Enhance healthcare and living conditions for inmates
Without urgent action, experts warn that more jailbreaks are likely to occur, further straining an already challenged justice system.
