Lawyers pledge to help mentally deranged persons in Douala central prison

Congestion of prison cells and lack of access to adequate health care services are some of the challenges faced by inmates at the Douala Central Prison.

To commemorate the lawyer’s week in Cameroon, some lawyers from the Cameroon Bar Association visited the central prison in Douala for a three days free consultation sessions.

According to Barrister Charlotte Tchakunte, a member of the Cameroon Bar Association, one of the greatest challenges faced by inmates is illegal detention.

“Some of them have been to the court just once and they have never been heard again. Some have been judged ever since and have completed their sentence period but they are still in prison because authorization has not been sent from the court to prove that they are free to leave,”.

She also stated that most of these prisoners do not have access to adequate health services when they fall sick.

“ Those who are sick here can not help themselves. Before they used to get treated at the Laquintinie hospital for free but for about 5-6 months now the hospital has refused to treat them and demanded payment before service. These prisoners are not able to eat properly how then do they have money for health bills,” she explained.

The lawyers pledged to take care of the mentally deranged persons who are in prison. They stated that more than 56 mad persons are in the Douala central prison which is a call for concern.

During their visit, the lawyers promised to review some of their files in line with the dispositions of the criminal code and to help those whose procedures might have been violated.

They however encouraged the inmates to be steadfast as they are going to do everything possible to remove them from prison.