Inmates at Isoka prison sleeping in shifts

Inmates at Isoka State prison in Isoka district in Muchinga province are forced to sleep in shifts every night because the prison has run out of bed space due to overcrowding.

Isoka District Commissioner Major Joe Siwila says the prison is congested forcing inmates such as Remandees and Prohibited Immigrants to sleep in shifts.

Major Siwila described the situation at the Prison as sad saying that in most instances the three cells at the prison meant for about 98 inmates were currently packed with 324 in mates.

He has attributed the congestion to the influx of prohibited immigrants arrested by the Immigrations department at Nakonde border post recently.

Major Siwila adds that the congestion was also due arrests by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Zambia Police Service.