From Bafoussam, Emmanuel Jules Ntap

In a significant move to alleviate prison overcrowding in Cameroon, thirty-eight young detainees, who were unable to settle their legal fines, have been released. The Françoise Puene Foundation for Liberty, a non-governmental organization, stepped in to cover the costs of these pecuniary penalties, known as ‘contraintes par corps’, allowing the youth to regain their freedom.

This humanitarian and legal aid initiative marks the eighth time since 2014 that the foundation has intervened, specifically targeting impoverished young individuals incarcerated due to their inability to pay these mandatory fines. The ages of those released in this latest effort ranged from 16 to 28 years old.

Françoise Puene, president of the eponymous foundation, highlighted the critical situation observed during their outreach. “Across the national territory, we realized that the central prison in Bafoussam was predominantly filled with young people. These were children as young as 16, 17, and 18, with the oldest being 28,” she stated, underscoring the demographic most affected by these financial constraints.

The compulsory payment of ‘contraintes par corps’ is a significant factor contributing to the severe issue of prison overcrowding in Cameroon. Adray Epente Tazeu, Secretary-General of the services for the Governor of the West Region, acknowledged this reality. “Our penitentiary centers are overcrowded. Some individuals cannot afford to pay their ‘contraintes par corps’ to secure their release,” he explained.

The joy of regaining freedom was palpable among the beneficiaries. Efred Ngayeu, one of the former prisoners, expressed his gratitude: “I am very happy that they paid for me.” Ngayeu had served nine months in prison, three months beyond his initial sentence, simply because he could not afford the required payment.

Under Cameroon’s Code of Criminal Procedure, all convicted individuals are legally obligated to fulfill financial penalties or make restitutions ordered by the court, even after completing their primary prison sentences. The amounts for these ‘contraintes par corps’ for the 38 former Bafoussam detainees ranged from 40,000 to 150,000 CFA francs, equivalent to approximately 60 to 228 euros.