Mbala Municipal Council health inspectors have recommended for the immediate closure of Mbala State Prison.
Mbala Municipal Council Public Relations Officer, David Simfukwe, revealed the development in a press statement released to ZANIS yesterday.
Mr Simfukwe revealed that the State Prison has been recommended for closure due to the violation of Public Health Act and Sanitation laws.
He said the prison is over-crowded and has inadequate cell space for inmates as a cell, which is supposed to accommodate two inmates, is currently accommodating nine inmates.
The Public Relations Officer mentioned that the institution lacks latrines in cell rooms hence inmates are using buckets during night time.
He noted that the institution is also experiencing smell nuisance which is caused by untreated human excreta discharged in an open pit within the prison premises.
Mr Simfukwe said the prison is experiencing erratic water supply which is worsening the situation as the three pour flush toilets are in a deplorable state.
He revealed that the newly contracted cell and ablution blocks are constructed using substandard material rendering the institution unfit for prison use.
The Public Relations Officer recommended that the prison constructs water born sanitary facilities to improve sanitation at the prison.
Mr Simfukwe said the prison should be decongested as the current situation is a health hazard.
Is it not all our prisons? If a small prison like Mbala can be recommended for closure, what more Kawmwala Remand prison and many others? Glimpses into those “places of hell” are so scary that the very thought of being sentenced to prison is a sure death sentence….. a slow painful death. Is this the intention of our “Christian” nation when it sends those unfortunate to be caught to our prisons?? Noooo.
This is also a lesson to prisoners. you want to give them a five star treatment. Most of the prisons in zambia are over overcrowded so when you close, where are you going to take the prisoners? To the overcrowded prisons again!!