By KETRA KALUNGA
INTENSIFY non-custodial sentencing on petty offences to reduce the current congestion in correctional facilities, Prisons Care and Cancelling Association (PRISSCA) executive director, Godfrey Malembeka, has advised the government.
Dr. Malembeka said correctional facilities would continue to be congested if offenders with petty crimes were not given community and suspended sentences.
He said in an interview that the government should increase community and suspended sentences which should be supervised by the Zambia Correctional Service in collaboration with identified Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Dr. Malembeka commended the government for approving in principle the repeal and replacement of the Penal Code Act Cap 87 and the Criminal Procedure Code Act chap 88.
He urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to be level headed and support the bill as they debate the matter to be tabled in parliament as it affects every Zambian.
“We expect MPs to agree as Zambians when this matter is tabled in parliament that it is a national issue, there is no leader in Zambia who has no relative or friend that are in trouble with the law,” he said.
Dr. Malembeka said the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code had contributed to the current congestion in correctional facilities and police cells and the backlog of cases yet to be disposed.
