YAMBIO – Inmates at Yambio Central Prison in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State are grappling with critical humanitarian and health challenges, including a shortage of medication, inadequate food supply, delayed justice processes, poverty, and weak medical follow-up services, according to insiders’ testimonies gathered by Sudans Post.
According to Felex Odongo, inmates are facing serious difficulties in accessing timely medical care and essential drugs within the facility.
He said that when prisoners fall sick, they are often not given medication promptly, and there is no structured medical follow-up system to monitor their recovery.
He further noted that in some cases, sick inmates wait between two and three days before being referred to health facilities, a delay attributed mainly to administrative procedures within the prison system.
Felex also indicated that prison authorities are aware of the shortage of medicines. However, referrals to external health centres do not always resolve the problem, as essential drugs and services are also reportedly unavailable in some facilities.
Adding to the concerns, Alice Boniface Peter, a female inmate, highlighted the harsh living conditions inside the prison, particularly food shortages and a lack of adequate support for inmates’ welfare and legal follow-up.
“We also appealed for food, and only three cups of beans are being given per day, and we are many. We are facing hunger. Beans and cowpeas, which have taken long, and a small amount of oil are being given,” she said.
She also raised concerns over the lack of proper follow-up of inmates’ cases, calling for urgent intervention to address both legal delays and humanitarian needs inside the facility.
Responding to the situation, Fozia Margaret Emmanuel, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission in Western Equatoria State, said the commission is aware of the challenges and will engage relevant authorities, including the state governor, to seek solutions.
“We are going to lobby with partners, and last year I did the same to lobby, and mattresses were given and donated through the effort of the Human Rights Commission,” she said.
Fozia further explained that following a prisoner strike last year, she mobilised support that resulted in the provision of food supplies to inmates, stressing that continued advocacy remains part of her mandate to protect vulnerable groups.
Efforts to obtain official comment from Yambio Central Prison authorities were unsuccessful, as officers declined to speak on the matter. Members of the State Legislative Assembly were also not reachable by press time.
The situation has triggered renewed concern among human rights defenders and community advocates, who are calling for urgent reforms in prison healthcare services, improved food supply, and faster judicial processes to ensure the dignity and rights of inmates are upheld.
