Port-au-Prince, January 20, 2026.- In the face of critical overcrowding and a justice system hampered by chronic delays, on Monday, 19 January, the Government launched a national caravan aimed at accelerating the processing of cases of detainees awaiting trial and reducing prolonged pretrial detention, a practice that undermines the rule of law and violates fundamental rights.
The pilot phase started at the Court of First Instance (TPI) in Port-au-Prince, with the habeas corpus hearing of twenty prisoners imprisoned for several years without trial, for offences described as minors. This first step marks a willingness to take concrete action on long-standing issues. The authorities announce the gradual extension of the operation to the departments of West, North and South.
According to the data provided, nearly 80 per cent of the national prison population is in pre-trial detention. A proportion deemed unacceptable by the Executive, which sees it as a drift incompatible with the principles of justice and human dignity. The programme is implemented under the coordination of the Head of Government, through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the participation of national institutions working to protect human rights.
By launching this caravan, the authorities show their willingness to restore judicial authority and correct a major dysfunction of the penal system. Now it remains to be seen the real scope of this initiative throughout the country and its ability to produce lasting results in the face of a deep-rooted prison crisis.
R.J.
