Mali prisons face critical overcrowding following mass arrests

Mali is facing a critical prison overcrowding crisis driven by a surge in mass arrests and security operations following the country's political transition. The Maison Centrale d’Arrêt (MCA) in Bamako, designed to hold 600 people, is currently housing more than 10,000 inmates.

Several factors contribute to this saturation, including systematic police raids, an increased reliance on automatic preventive detention, and a congested judicial system where legal proceedings are significantly delayed. Many detainees remain in custody for years without trial.

The extreme overcrowding has led to severe humanitarian consequences, including heightened risks of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, limited access to medical care, and increased internal security tensions within facilities. Furthermore, the lack of space prevents rehabilitation programs, potentially increasing recidivism rates and placing a heavy economic burden on public finances.