Adopting a prisoner identification and location technology in a post-conflict context following a comparative analysis of technologies: the case of the city of Bukavu

In post-conflict contexts, prison management is a major public security and rule-of-law issue. This study aims to adopt a prisoner identification and location technology in Bukavu (DRC) following a comparative analysis. The methodology confronts survey results from 105 respondents (engineers, prison staff, civil society, citizens) with secondary research and documented technical characteristics. Results show a clear functional distinction: biometrics is preferred for registration (58%, with fingerprints rated most reliable at 68%), while RFID is favored for intra-muros location (48%) and GPS for external tracking (42%). The study proposes an evolutionary hybrid architecture: Phase 1 with biometrics and passive RFID, Phase 2 adding GPS for external movements/escapes, and Phase 3 integrating intelligent cameras and acoustic sensors. The system ensures energy resilience (solar, 72h battery), offline operation with deferred synchronization, and satellite backup for critical alerts. Governance complies with Congolese law n° 15/026, with biometric template destruction 6 months after release and a participatory monitoring committee. A preliminary budget is provided (CAPEX $23,200, annual OPEX $3,200) for a 100-prisoner pilot.

Cette étude analyse l’adoption d’une technologie d’identification et de localisation des prisonniers dans un contexte post-conflit à Bukavu. Elle compare la biométrie, la RFID, le GPS et des capteurs complémentaires, puis propose une architecture hybride évolutive adaptée aux contraintes énergétiques, sécuritaires, techniques et organisationnelles du milieu carcéral local.