Govt to construct more prisons countrywide

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 10:50:05 +0000

AARON CHIYANZO

 MORE correctional facilities are ear marked for construction across Zambia through Public Private Partnership initiative (PPP) to improve the living conditions of inmates, says Ministry of Home Affairs permanent secretary Mulenga Chileshe.

Dr Chileshe said that PPP was working out well and that two ultra- modern correctional facilities were already under construction.

He pointed out that the construction of new correctional facilities would greatly help decongest already existing facilities.

Dr Chileshe said that Government was also refurbishing the existing correctional facilities to uplift them to the level recommended for a correctional system.

“It is pleasing to note that PPP is working very well so far with two ultra-modern correctional facilities already under construction through the same initiative. More facilities are ear marked for construction in Luanshya and other districts” he said.

And Dr Chileshe said that Government would also ensure that more correctional officers were recruited to improve on manpower.

He explained that the service currently had about 2800 uniformed personnel to look after a population of over 20, 000 inmates.

Dr Chileshe said that his ministry was aware of the transport challenges that were currently hitting the service.

He pointed out that most of the correctional facilities did not have pool vehicles to transport inmates to and from courts.

Dr Chileshe reiterated that the correctional system required proper transport for inmates and officers to ensure smooth operations.

He assured that Government was committed to changing the face of the service which he said had been historically forgotten.

“Government will also ensure that more correctional officers are recruited to improve on manpower. The service currently has about 2,800 uniformed personnel to look after a population of over 20, 000 inmates. The correctional system also requires proper transport for inmates and officers to ensure smooth operations” said Dr Chileshe.

Meanwhile, DR Chileshe also disclosed that Government had embarked on the construction of 600 housing units for correctional officers.

He said that the construction of over 40 houses in Kabwe’s Mukobeko camp had reached an advanced stage and that they would be completed by March next year.