South Sudan’s First Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit has bailed out 10 inmates arrested on minor offenses at Juba Central Prison.
The move follows last month’s directive from the high-level taskforce on COVID-19 to the concerned authorities to decongest all prisons.
Speaking to reporters in Juba last Thursday, Mary Ayen said inmates jailed for committing minor crimes should go home and take care of their children.
“Those with minor cases should be released to go and stay with their children. For those who are going to remain in prison, I will talk to the prison authorities to review your cases so that those with petty crimes can be released. Do not be angry that mama released some people; you are all my children,” said Ayen.
She added, “We must do good things for the nation, uphold peaceful coexistence. In other countries, our people are suffering and so for the women leaving prison, do not again commit crimes”.
The number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 49.
Last month, South Sudan government stepped up measures to arrest the spread of COVID-19, temporarily shutting schools and universities, barring fans from sports events and telling citizens to observe social distancing.