08 Nov 2020

Botswana Prison Service commissioner, Mr Silas Motlalekgosi, has applauded United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for assisting prison services by amenities needed to combat COVID-19.

He said this when UNDP donated personal protective equipment (PPE) worth P250 557 to Botswana Prison Service recently.

The donation consisted of surgical masks, soaps and gloves to be utilised by prison staff and inmates.

Col Motlalekgosi expressed gratitude towards the UNDP gesture, which he said reinforced their relationship for better things to come.

He said imprisonment was a turbulent terrain and needed technical expertise, especially staff development and rehabilitation.

“We are in the process of drafting prisoner rehabilitation and introducing offender case management system with a view to making our rehabilitation initiatives impactful and to facilitate compliance with law and modern trends including the newly adopted Mandela Rules.”

Furthermore, he said prisons would use bit of holding and technical assistance to develop the blue print, design and impart programmes.

Col Motlalekgosi also said it was worth noting that their strategy of prevention and containment was bearing fruits.

They established two quarantine facilities now extended to three including an extra facility for isolating positive female cases.

“To date, virus only detected at quarantine centers upon admission, these leads to cases being managed before prisoners are transferred to regular facilities. To date COVID-19 statistics for prisoners stood at 25; Lobatse 24 while Francistown has one case and five active cases. For officers we have 14 positive cases and five active cases.’’ he said.

For her part, UNDP resident representative, Ms Jacinta Barrins said the donation would ease the burden for the prison service and to eliminate COVID-19, which required efforts from all.

“This was not the first and last donation, we look forward to work with the Prison Service and how we can progress in carrying this vision.” ENDS