Senegalese prisons: 50 commode chairs distributed to improve access to sanitation facilities

The Ministry of Justice has distributed 50 commode chairs to remand and correctional facilities as well as penal camps in Senegal. The measure targets facilities that did not have this equipment and is intended to improve access to sanitation facilities in detention.

An initiative launched after the Rufisque case

The deployment follows a meeting held on 14 August 2026 between the Minister of Justice, Me Moussa Sarr, and the Forum du Justiciable. The organisation had reported the lack of adapted toilets at the Rufisque remand and correctional facility. A first commode chair was installed there before the initiative was extended to other prisons.

The equipment is intended for people with reduced mobility, inmates suffering from joint disorders, overweight people and patients who have difficulty using squat toilets. The Forum du Justiciable links the measure to access to healthcare and respect for detained persons’ right to health.

Equipment distributed across several regions

The remand and correctional facilities in Kaolack and the Koutal penal camp each received five chairs. Facilities in Mbour, Saint-Louis, Kaffrine and Foundiougne received at least three.

Two units were allocated to prisons in Thiès, Diourbel, Matam, Tamba, Kédougou, Louga, Podor, Gossas and Nioro. Rufisque, Hann, Sébikotane, Bambey, Dagana, Kébémer, Linguère and Bakel each received one chair.

A prison health issue

This action comes as the Forum du Justiciable has also raised the issue of mental healthcare in prison settings. Following a meeting with the organisation, the Minister of Justice requested a census of inmates suffering from mental disorders. The Forum had previously alerted the United Nations to violations of prisoners’ right to health, notably mentioning patients hospitalised in the Special Pavilion at Aristide-Le-Dantec Hospital.

The organisation welcomed the installation of the commode chairs and thanked the Minister of Justice in a statement reported by the press.