This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, Tanzanian President John Magufuli ordered prison authorities to reduce overcrowding in the country's jails, saying there were too many people awaiting trial indefinitely who should not be incarcerated.
Magufuli, who came to power in 2015 as a corruption-fighting leader, gave the order after touring an overcrowded prison in Mwanza region.
During his visit, he expressed his disappointment at the conditions he witnessed, stating that the prison, which had a capacity of 900 people, housed 1,000 convicts and 925 awaiting trial.
Many of those awaiting trial had been languishing in the prison for up to eight years, with their investigations going nowhere.
Magufuli has since ordered the Ministry of Justice and other relevant bodies to visit all prisons, province by province, to listen to the complaints of prisoners and release those being held illegally.
His actions have led to the release of over 300 prisoners since his visit to the Mwanza prison.
