By Alan Clement
A severe food shortage has hit Tambura County Prison, forcing over 80 inmates into casual labor outside the facility in a desperate attempt to survive.
The crisis has apparently left prisoners going for up to 11 days without meals.
Acknowledging the dire situation, Tambura County Commissioner, Mathew Mabenge attributed it partly to ongoing insecurity in Western Equatoria state.
He said that insecurity has hampered farming and forced humanitarian organizations to suspend aid operations.
“Tambura County is currently surrounded by non-government forces, making it difficult for farmers to cultivate,” he said.
According to Mathew, the vendor that used to supply food to the prison halted, due to unpaid arrears.
“We used to have a supplier of food items to the prison, and they are paid there in Juba,” he said, adding, “They all of a sudden stopped supplying food because they said their dues have not been paid.”
Without any alternative source of food, prison authorities are compelled to send inmates out for menial jobs among the community in exchange for food.
Mabenge corroborated that it was an attempt to find solutions to the dire straits Tambura prison faces.
The commissioner said he has been engaged in discussions with office of the governor, and so far, with a glimmer of hope.
Mabenge confirmed that the entire Western Equatoria state cabinet will travel within a few days to operate from Tambura, for at least a month.
“We are waiting for the arrival of the Cabinet and the troops, to find an amicable solution to the ongoing security situation in Tambura,” the commissioner stressed.
Tambura County Prison, with about 80 detainees, including 14 on murder charge, lacks even basic means of transportation and resident judge. Inmates in Tombura are served from the neighboring Ezo and Nagero counties.