Deadly Prison Break in Haiti: 12 Inmates Killed Amid Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
Saint-Marc, Haiti – A deadly prison break in the coastal city of Saint-Marc, Haiti, has left 12 inmates dead, intensifying concerns over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Caribbean nation. The incident, which took place on Friday, August 16, highlights the severe challenges facing Haiti despite the presence of a Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) deployed to stabilize the region.
The chaos erupted when inmates at the overcrowded Saint-Marc prison staged a spontaneous protest, reportedly driven by worsening conditions within the facility. According to local government official Walter Montas, the unrest was fueled by a severe lack of food and deplorable health conditions, exacerbated by Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Saint-Marc Mayor Myriam Fievre confirmed that 12 inmates were killed during the prison break, marking the third such incident in recent months. “The situation is under control, but the results are catastrophic. All the cops’ dormitories have burnt down. The archives have burnt down. They’ve set everything on fire except their cells,” remarked State Prosecutor Venson Francois, who urged the local population to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the escapees.
Unverified videos circulating on social media depict the chaos as it unfolded, showing inmates climbing over walls and smoke billowing from the prison compound, which is surrounded by barbed wire. The footage also captures a loud explosion and a raging fire, underscoring the extent of the destruction.
The Saint-Marc prison housed approximately 540 inmates at the time of the escape, according to official records. Haiti’s national police have yet to provide additional details on the incident, and their response remains unclear.
The prison break is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Haitian government and the international community as they grapple with gang violence and political instability in the country.
The MSSM, led by Kenya, was deployed to Haiti in response to the worsening security situation. However, the mission has encountered significant challenges, with only 400 of the 1,000 police officers pledged by Kenya having arrived in the country so far. Other nations that committed to sending personnel to support Haiti’s under-resourced police force have yet to fulfill their promises.
In a statement released on social media, Commander Godfrey Otunge, head of the Kenyan contingent and the MSSM, called on other nations to swiftly send troops to Haiti. He also emphasized the urgent need for more resources and weapons for the Haitian National Police (HNP) as they continue to engage with heavily armed criminal gangs.
“We remain steadfast in supporting the Haitian National Police, which is in dire need of more resources and weapons as they engage the criminal gangs,” Otunge stated after a meeting with Jerusa Léa Ali, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, on Friday.
The prison break comes at a time when Haiti’s prison system is already under severe strain. According to U.N. data, more than 7,500 people were held in Haitian prisons at the end of June, down from nearly 12,000 before gangs staged mass breakouts from the country’s two largest prisons in March. These breakouts, coupled with the rising death toll among inmates due to poor conditions and a lack of basic necessities, have highlighted the urgent need for reform.
The March prison break had significant political ramifications, triggering a state of emergency that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Henry, who had traveled abroad to secure Kenya’s support for the MSSM, was unable to return to Haiti due to intense fighting between gangs and government forces.
The ongoing conflict in Haiti has displaced nearly 600,000 people within the country, forcing them to flee their homes in search of safety. Additionally, the U.N. estimates that close to 5 million Haitians—almost half of the country’s population—are now facing severe hunger as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Local newspaper Le Nouvelliste reported that prison officials had been on strike, demanding better treatment from the government. Prosecutor Francois expressed “great fear of mutiny,” though further details were not provided.
As Haiti continues to struggle with these immense challenges, the international community’s response will be critical in determining the future stability of the nation.
