04 Feb 2019

Minister of Justice, Defence and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi says government is concerned by the influx of smuggled goods and drugs into prison cells.

Minister Kgathi also said the challenging and complex work environment of prisons officers required high levels of alertness and moral uprightness.

He said this when officiating at the Botswana Prisons Service pass out parade of 2018 at Mahalapye Prisons Staff College on February 1.

The minister noted that training offered by the department must empower officers to cope with the challenges.

He said completing the seven months training signified a new chapter in the professional development of the graduates.

He said the most challenging chapter started with being an effective prison officer who executed official duties within the ambit of the law.

“My expectations of the prison service are very clear, please execute your mandate with due diligence and professionalism.

The commissioner is under my instruction to ensure this is achieved,” the minister said.

The minister said he was confident that the graduating class was given the necessary skills to carry out their duties efficiently.

He noted that the graduates were expected to contribute to the reduction of escapes and improvement of the prisoner welfare treatment and rehabilitation.

Mr Kgathi said although there was still room for improvement, the prisons service had been performing well.

He said in 2018, 20 escapees were recorded. He added that some of the escapes could had been avoided by being vigilant at all times.

Mr Kgathi advised prison officers that the success of any modern prison system would be measured by the effectiveness of its custodial safety and rehabilitation.

He said officers should ensure that inmates served their prison term, and that those awaiting trial remained in custody until they were released by lawful authority.

“To all graduates, always remember that the custodial function of the prison service requires prison officers to keep prisoners for the duration of their prison term. Prisoners must, therefore, not escape from custody. This is a very important principle as it touches on both the effectiveness of our criminal justice system and protection of our society,” said the minister

He also observed that keeping offenders securely for the duration of their imprisonment was not enough. He said prisoners must be assisted to understand the value of leading a clean law-abiding life.

He added that rehabilitation programmes had been developed and were being implemented to offer prisoners new life skills and positive attitudes towards other citizens.

Mr Kgathi said it was in relation to this that his ministry was finalising a prisoner rehabilitation strategy.

“Its objective is to among other things streamline and standardise programmes from one prison to another,” he added.

Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Silas Motlalekgosi said the pass out parade was symbolic of a bright future for the prisons service.

He said the 256 young man and women graduating were passionate to join the prisons services. ENDS