A local humanitarian initiative has enabled 38 young Cameroonians to regain their freedom after they were unable to pay court-ordered civil debts upon completing their prison sentences.

Since 2014, the Françoise Puene Freedom Foundation has intervened eight times to support indigent detainees, aged 16 to 28, by covering their civil debt payments. This initiative not only provides legal relief but also addresses the chronic issue of prison overcrowding in Cameroon.

Prison overcrowding linked to unpaid civil debts

Civil debts, mandated by Cameroon’s Penal Procedure Code, require convicts to settle financial obligations—such as restitution or fines—before or after serving their sentences. Many detainees, lacking financial means, remain incarcerated solely due to these unpaid obligations.

« Throughout the country, we’ve observed that youth make up the majority of prison populations. We’re talking about individuals aged 16, 17, 18, and up to 28, » explained Françoise Puene, founder of the foundation that bears her name.

Overburdened prisons and delayed justice

The civil debt system exacerbates prison congestion, particularly in facilities like the Bafoussam Central Prison, where youth detention rates are notably high.

« Our prisons are overcrowded because many cannot afford to pay their civil debts to secure release, » admitted Adray Epente Tazeu, regional secretary-general of the West Cameroon governor’s services.

Relief for former detainees

Among those freed was Efred Ngayeu, who spent nine months behind bars—three months longer than his original sentence—due to an unpaid civil debt of 150,000 CFA francs (€228). « I’m deeply grateful they paid for me, » he shared.

The civil debts paid by the foundation ranged from 40,000 to 150,000 CFA francs (€60 to €228), offering these individuals a second chance at reintegration.