Juba Prison Warden calls for urgent reforms amidst mental health crisis.

By Adia Jildo

The Director General of Juba central prison, Redento Tangun says the prison is hosting 29 mentally ill patients who instead of being in a rehabilitation centre are locked up due to lack of mental health facilities in the country.

The central prison is currently accommodating over 2,000 inmates, with a significant portion being juveniles.

The Director General emphasized that the presence of mentally ill individuals in a correctional facility not only compromises their well-being but also strains the already limited resources available to manage such a diverse population.

However, there is now a private facility, a rehabiltation centre launched with the aim of treating trauma, drug and alcohol addiction patients. The 50 bed capacity private capacity will work with the national prison service to provide transformational services with resources and tools to help people overcome addiction, such as therapy, medical care, and a structured environment.

According to the Director General of the National Prison Service major General Redento Tagun says the establishment will help in the transformation of persons who are in need of transformational services hence easing the prison in its rehabilitation work.

The Chief Executive officer of Juba Rehabiliattion centre, Sarah Bior says the establishment of the rehab is due to the presence of many who seek mental health service and are unable to access it either due to ignorance or absence of the service.

According to the centre manager, the hub will be able to provide over eight services and transforming lives in the communities.
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According to the guest of honour and former spokesperson of president Kiir, Ateny Wek Ateny, said there is need for government to support rehabilitation centres and construct more to enable those who need those services.

Juba Rehab centre will be able to provide a structured environment where individuals learn to build healthy relationships with themselves and others and adopt healthy coping mechanisms.