On Monday, January 18, 2026, the Government, through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, launched the pilot project "Mobile Initiative for Reducing Prison Overcrowding and Prolonged Pretrial Detention".

The pilot phase of this mobile unit began at the Port-au-Prince Court of First Instance, presided over by the Dean of the Port-au-Prince Court of First Instance, Attorney Bernard Saint-Vil, with the hearing of 20 detainees who had been incarcerated for several years without trial for minor offenses, under the Habeas Corpus Act.

During this hearing, the 20 detainees were granted Habeas Corpus and will be released imminently. These are: Wisnel Saint Fleur, Roosevelt D'Haïti, Dienix Georges, Joseph William, Doune Jules, Cliford Dorvil, Verguens Emisca, Alex Louis, Alain Seraphin, Felix Mercier, Ebel Jessica, Glesil Cassandra, Pierre Ernest, Accime Jesusla, Calixte Rose Mada, Innocent Catherine, Piristin Medwina, Trezilus Stephanie, Robert Assela Roberto, and Rodly Jean.

The Public Prosecutor's Office was represented by the Chief Commissioner at the Court of First Instance, Mr. Patterson Dorval, assisted by Mr. Choubert Baptiste, Deputy Government Commissioner.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated, "Prolonged pretrial detention constitutes a serious violation of human dignity and the normal functioning of the justice system. The State can no longer tolerate this abuse. This initiative reflects our commitment to upholding the law, in an orderly, just, and human rights-based manner."

It should be noted that, according to available data, nearly 80% of the prison population in Haiti is currently awaiting trial, a situation the Government intends to rectify. Designed by the Ministry of Justice, the project is being implemented by the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights in conjunction with the Mobile Institute for Democratic Education, with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme in Haiti. This pilot mobile caravan project, initially planned for five months, will be deployed in the jurisdictions of Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, and Les Cayes.

HL/ HaitiLibre