25 Sep 2016

The Maun community, organisations and individuals have been urged to continue joining hands with the Department of Prisons Services to ensure that it successfully achieves its mandate.

Speaking during a ceremony to appreciate efforts made by some organisations and individuals, Superintendent Tomeletso Mogogoma said they have been enjoying support which made a big difference in the welfare of staff members and inmates.

He said different churches, individuals and non-governmental organisations demonstrated compassion, love and care towards the welfare of inmates by donating different gifts.

To acknowledge their support, some organisations which included Assemblies of God Church, Bible Life Ministries, Gate of Heaven Network, The Village Church, UCCSA and Love Botswana and some individuals were honoured with gifts such as toiletry, books and Bibles amongst others.  Some got certificates of appreciation.

Senior Supt Mogogoma said all stakeholders contributed meaningfully towards the rehabilitation of inmates, adding that they have offered special services to augment government efforts in caring for the inmates.

He said the government alone could not manage and acknowledged their continued support.

He said the government only provides washing soap to inmates and that different stakeholders donated goods while others offered motivational sessions, preaching and teachings in different topics as well as  counselling.

“Since 2015, we have never run short of toiletries for our inmates because of the support we got from our stakeholders. Even our staff have been motivated and managed to deliver to their ability,” he added. Senior Supt Mogogoma said such support was crucial because prison life was isolating inmates  from families, friends and the community at large.

He said their regular visits and support restored their hope and made them feel better.

He also acknowledged the good job by Alpha Botswana which offered a 12-week course where 101 inmates graduated. Alpha Botswana is an international non-denominational faith based organisation which offers training which prisoners could use to overcome their sense of loss through understanding what it means to have Christ in one’s live.

The course offered aims to transform the lives of inmates by seeking God.

A motivational speaker, Ms Hannah Lecha had an opportunity to motivate the inmates, telling them that change starts in the mind, adding that it was important to change their way of thinking.

She said they should refrain from actions that destroy their future but rather renew their minds and actions. She said they should not ask to be released from prison if they were not ready because they would return. “You should change your thoughts and take time to be moulded and rehabilitated so that when you are released you move forward in life,” she added. ENDS