Following a recent intervention in Bafoussam, 38 young detainees regained their freedom after fulfilling court-ordered financial obligations. The release was made possible through the support of the Françoise Puene Freedom Foundation, a local NGO dedicated to humanitarian and legal assistance.

The beneficiaries, aged between 16 and 28, had been held in overcrowded prisons due to their inability to pay the contrainte par corps—a mandatory financial penalty imposed alongside prison sentences for minor offenses.

This marks the eighth such initiative since 2014, providing critical relief to indigent individuals trapped in Cameroon’s judicial system.

« Across the country, we observed that Bafoussam Central Prison was particularly congested with young offenders, » explains Françoise Puene, founder and president of the foundation. « The majority were teenagers—16, 17, or 18 years old—with the oldest being 28. »

The issue of contrainte par corps has long contributed to prison overcrowding in Cameroon. Many detainees, unable to afford these penalties, remain incarcerated even after completing their sentences.

« Our prisons are severely overpopulated, » admits Adray Epente Tazeu, Secretary-General of the West Region’s governor’s office. « Some inmates cannot pay their financial obligations, preventing their release despite serving their time. »

Efred Ngayeu, one of the released individuals, shared his relief: « I spent nine months in prison instead of six. I’m truly grateful they covered my debt so I could go home. »

Under Cameroon’s Criminal Procedure Code, convicts must settle pecuniary penalties or restitution before being released. The 38 ex-detainees had court-ordered payments ranging from 40,000 to 150,000 CFA francs—approximately 60 to 228 euros.