Following the presidential clemency decree of 18th February 2014, a number of inmates including those in the Kumba main prison, were qualified to be released.

During an inspection tour of the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF), 171 inmates of the Kumba main prison were short-listed for release.

After the survey of the NCHRF, the institution agreed to pay their fines.

Eight other prisoners had earlier been released in the month of March.

The Human rights commission led by Marie Kwamu Nana also used the visit to hand over food items and medications worth 500,000 FCFA to the inmates.

The delegation head also cautioned the qualified inmates to remain well behaved and disciplined while the procedure is taking shape.

The 171 prisoners released from this prison will if anything, decongest the jam-packed detention facility.

The prison which was constructed during the colonial period to accommodate a maximum of 200 inmates presently harbours 638 prisoners.

Amongst the 638 prisoners, 24 are minors, 10 are women, and 79 foreigners with 47 Nigerians.

287 amongst the prisoners await trial.