30 Dec 2019

The First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi says inmates should be accorded love and compassion and to give them a sense of belonging.

Speaking during the presentation of Christmas hampers to inmates at Mahalapye prison for both female and males on December 24, Ms Masisi said she was aware that inmates missed their families while incarcerated; hence the need to cheer them up.

Ms Masisi, who also donated P10 000 to be used for purchasing of books for their library, pleaded with inmates to use their time in prison productively as an opportunity to correct their mistakes and equip them with skills and knowledge that would be put to good use once they completed their sentences.
Ms Masisi said inmates had different talents and it was therefore up to them to take advantage of the programmes they were availed to empower themselves and prepare for better livelihoods outside prison.

For his part, Botswana Prison Services Commissioner Silas Motlalekgosi applauded the First Lady for the kind gesture and goodwill of finding it necessary to share such exceptional moments with the inmates.
“We are humbled as the prison’s service that you took time out of your busy schedule to come and grace us with your presence here at prison during this festive season. We are happy and this is a special moment as you are the mother of the nation,” he said.
Mr Motlalekgosi indicated that they rehabilitate inmates so that when they were released, they would be able to improve their livelihoods with the knowledge they acquired in prison.

He said there were programmes such as dressmaking, pottery and bakery.
He said there were currently 480 inmates in Mahalapye prison.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, a representative from the ladies’ prisons, Ms Phatsimo Jane said her fellow prisoners were humbled to have the First Lady visit them and cheer them up with some of the necessities that they lacked, particularly toiletry.
She said they felt blessed to be visited by mother of the nation. She said they used to be lost and rejected adding that they now have positive attitude because of the support rendered by the First Lady.

The hampers, she said were welcomed as a good sign that inmates were also part of the society.
She vowed that they would fully give back to the community upon their prison release. ends