[2] It is located in the city center, 3 miles (4.8 km) from the presidential palace.

With a theoretical capacity of 1,500 detainees,[4][5] Makala is the only detention centre in Kinshasa, with the exception of Ndolo military prison.

[6] The security of each of the eleven pavilions where prisoners are housed is ensured by the inmates.

[7] Instead, prisoners armed with batons guard the entrances and exits of each pavilion.

[3] In 2020, it was estimated that more than 90% of the people held at the prison were awaiting trial,[9] and only 6% were actually serving sentences.