The Government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has released 75 people who were jailed owing to debts, after the Ajokbil Company Ltd agreed to pay their debts, according to state officials.
The discharge ceremony took place on Wednesday night at Aweil Central Prison where there are more than 600 people detained. State officials recently have complained of overcrowding at the prison.
The ceremony brought together Deputy Governor Deng Deng Akuei, State Prisons Chief Major General Garang Dut, and Director of Legal Administration Joseph Marko.
Speaking to press at the event, Marko appreciated the government and the partner company Ajokbil who paid all debts of the inmates. He said that the release came after the prison became full, pointing out that the prison was built during British rule for only 150 people, but now there are more than 600.
The representative of Ajokbil company Dr Atak Kout said they began the initiative after the state government alerted state businessmen on the overcrowding of Aweil Main Prison. He said he business community would also be ready to employ prisoners in the coming period to reduce recidivism.
File photo: Aweil main prison, 2013 (Radio Tamazuj)