Methodology

This report is based on research conducted between March 2011 and January 2012. Researchers visited 12 of South Sudan’s approximately 79 prisons, in seven of South Sudan’s 10 states: Juba and Yei prisons in Central Equatoria state; Rumbek, Cueibet and Abiriu prisons in Lakes state; Malakal prison in Upper Nile state; Wau prison in Western Bahr el Ghazal state; Aweil, Wanjok and Malek Alel prisons in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state; Tonj prison in Warrap state; and Bentiu prison in Unity state. The director general of South Sudan Prisons Service granted Human Rights Watch researchers unfettered access to the prisons.

The research focused on arbitrary detention and conditions in prisons under the authority of the South Sudan Prisons Service, a directorate of the Ministry of Interior. As nine of the prisons visited can be described as larger prisons, with populations over 200, the findings are most representative of such facilities. In order to better understand the experiences of prisoners prior to arriving in prison, researchers also visited police holding cells in Juba, Yei, Rumbek, Malakal, and Bentiu.

Researchers conducted interviews with more than 250 prisoners. Those interviewed were selected randomly, but with special care taken to ensure that prisoners interviewed represent a cross-section with respect to gender, age, detention status (remand or convicted), and severity of sentence. The majority of those interviewed were accused or convicted of murder, theft, or marital or sexual offenses, or were in prison for non-payment of debt, fines, or compensation awards.

Researchers questioned prisoners about the charges against them, the trial process, and prison conditions. Interviews varied in length from approximately 10 minutes to one hour. Prison staff usually, with few exceptions, allowed researchers to interview prisoners one at a time, in semi-private settings, such as in an empty office or in a corner of the prison compound. Interviews were conducted in English, Arabic, Dinka, and Nuer languages with assistance from independent interpreters in most instances. All prisoners were informed of the purpose of the interview and its voluntary nature, and verbally consented to be interviewed. As prisoners sometimes revealed sensitive information regarding their charges or convictions, or were critical of the government institutions, all prisoners interviewed have been given pseudonyms to avoid any potential security risk. 

At every prison visited, researchers conducted interviews with members of the prison administration, and interviewed a total of approximately 35 Prisons Service staff. Research also included examination of prisoners’ files, particularly in Juba and Bentiu. Researchers communicated in person, by telephone, or by email, with over 80 central and state-level government officials, judges, prosecutors, customary court chiefs, private lawyers, United Nations officials, donors, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations.