afrol News, 20 August - At least nine prisoners were killed in a fire which broke up in Cameroon's overcrowded and rundown New Bell jail today, jail official confirmed.

The notorious jail in West African country's economic capital Douala, is most populous jail crammed with more than four times as many prisoners than its original capacity was intended.

According to prison officials, the fire began around 4am in Regime wing, which houses 1,468 prisoners.

Cameroon has a poor record in prisoner's detention, with dire living condition as compared to other African countries. In June, 16 prisoners were shot dead while trying to escape from its nightmarish confines.

Built in 1933 for 800 inmates, New Bell prison is overcrowded beyond limits as it is currently harbouring 3,200 people. Human rights organisations said persistent torture of inmates, poor sanitary conditions and violence have made matters worse in the prison. The colonial administration built New Bell as a punitive house.

Last year, human rights groups accused Cameroonian army for illegally keeping more than 50 striking prison officers who were denied food and drink and even brutally tortured.

Mr Joseph Tsala Amougou said prison authorities regret nine deaths due to suffocation in prison, further saying the entire wing has been burnt down.

According to Tsala Amougou, there are 3,421 inmates packed into a space originally meant for a maximum of 800 prisoners. Running water, proper toilets and even beds and mattresses are in short supply and corruption is rampant.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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