Inmates at the Torit Central Prison in Eastern Equatoria State have voiced concerns about exorbitant legal fees, which have left many of them locked up for over five years without trial.
During an awareness campaign organized by the Support Peace Initiative for Development Organization (SPIDO) at the prison, inmates unequivocally stated that advocates and investigators charge prohibitive fees for assistance with both civil and criminal cases.
Sources in the prison claim that advocates demand approximately SSP 2 million while police investigators extort as much as SSP 500,000 to speed up cases.
Torit Central Prison currently holds 281 inmates, including 18 females, 8 juveniles, and 104 individuals on remand.
Ben Amok, a male inmate, emphasized that these high legal charges obstruct access to justice.
He revealed the absurdity of individuals spending more than ten years in jail for minor offenses like stealing a spoon and an egg, incidents that could and should be resolved outside the courtroom.
“There are individuals in Torit who claim to be investigators but demand payment up front when taking statements from inmates. These are vulnerable individuals with no support,” he said. “Is this what justice looks like in Eastern Equatoria? A ten-year sentence for stealing a spoon? When you seek help from an advocate, they want more money. This situation is unacceptable.”
For her part, Sunday Marko, a female inmate, challenged the prison authorities regarding the rights of inmates, stating they are continually denied access to essential services that could keep them engaged and productive.
“I want to know what rights inmates possess. Many of us have languished in prison for 5 to 10 years, while some face death sentences,” she lamented. “It is unheard of for anyone to be exonerated; the burdens of justice seem to always fall on the living.”
Meanwhile, Obale James Okeny, another inmate, pointed out that countless individuals remain on remand due to these excessive legal fees and demanded urgent reductions to finally have their cases heard.
“We cannot tolerate remaining on remand for five years with little hope of a court appearance. Processes may have been cleared with payments, but many remain imprisoned simply due to financial demands, and some have been unfairly charged without bail,” he stated.
Woodcan Savior Lazarus, the SPIDO Executive Director, stressed that everyone is entitled to equal treatment under the law and deserves a fair trial without financial barriers.
He said his organization is committed to supporting those on remand, particularly in civil or gender-based violence (GBV) cases, and ensuring that they are tried in court without the burden of further charges.
“It is unacceptable to think that being in prison means you lose your right to life and justice,” he said. “At SPIDO, we will actively advocate for cases such as GBV, which are rampant in our communities, and we will ensure that court proceedings continue for those who should not remain incarcerated due to misunderstandings.”