The Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Ousmane Diagne, responded to questions from deputies this Saturday, December 14, during the ordinary session devoted to the examination of bills revising the Constitution. Among the measures debated are the abolition of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) and the High Council of Territorial Communities (HCCT), as well as questions on prison administration and detention conditions.
Faced with the concerns raised, the minister provided details on current projects in the prison sector. “Currently, there is a project to build 9 prisons. I usually say, as a human rights activist, that in a democratic society, if we have to send some of its members to prison for justified reasons, it is our responsibility to offer dignified conditions of detention,” he said.
Among these projects, he cited “the construction of a prison with 2,500 places in Diamniadio and another with 500 places in Fatick. These infrastructures aim to relieve congestion in current prison establishments and improve the living conditions of prisoners. »
The minister also mentioned an increase in the daily allowance allocated to prisoners. “Until now, it was set at 1,152 CFA francs per day per detainee. As part of the 2025 finance bill, this sum will be increased to 1,300 CFA francs,” he said. He added that this development is part of a progressive process of improvement.
Addressing the judicial functioning, he recalled the recent installation of the Kaffrine high court on October 24. “It is no longer a simple district court, but a high court with all that that implies. We strive to meet expectations and resolve the issues raised,” he concluded.
Senegal
