In january 2009 Congolese lawyers inquired again about the fate of people detained in prison illegaly, who had starved to death before having been tried. To come to the rescue of these prisoners, Fidesco has created the BAJPD (Office of Legal Aid to Poor Prisoners) in 2003. The BAJPD acts in favor of the poor prisoners in three areas:
• Psycho-social support for prisoners;
• Support free legal advice;
• Awareness of justice stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
It finds its funding from private donors solicited by Fidesco. The main role of the BAJPD is to plead the cause of the prisoners, so they can be judged and either be released or serve their sentences.
For this, each week a team goes to the central prison in Kinshasa to meet with prisoners in very difficult conditions.
In addition, the daily BAJPD fight against corruption by refusing for example to pay bribes for administrative acts, organizing awareness meetings with students at law faculties, etc. A dozen prisoners are helped each month.