In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at least 129 people were killed on Monday as they tried to escape the notorious Makala Prison in Kinshasa. Dozens more were injured. The DRC’s security minister says two dozen prisoners were shot dead by guards; the rest reportedly died in a crowd crush set off by the chaos. The prison was built to house 1,500 people. At its peak this summer, it held 15,000. Amnesty International has described conditions in Makala Prison as “appalling,” while prisoners report widespread hunger, overcrowding and abuse.

Jeff: “I have been detained here for a year without trial. The conditions are very difficult. The prisoners die every day. The people suffer here like you have no idea. The prisoners eat very badly, and the rations of the prisoners are often diverted by the prison officials.”