15 Aug 2022

The rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders require collaboration by all stakeholders for the process to be successful and meaningful, Serowe Prison Officer in Charge, Senior Superintendent Motswedi Leader has said.

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Maunatlala, on Friday, Snr Supt Leader said participation of the community in strengthening and enhancing rehabilitation was crucial, hence the need for establishment of community based reintegration structures that included stakeholders, such as; families, friends, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith based organisations (FBOs), ex-offenders associations and government departments.

The programme, Snr Supt Leader said, was meant to create an environment that would allow for the effective involvement of community in rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders and create opportunities for the establishment, networking and sustenance of partnerships between Prison Service and the community.

Additionally, he said the programme was also aimed at integrating and coordinating programmes rendered by the community based service providers to offenders, intensifying offender accountability through the victim/family reconciliation process and ensuring effective reintegration of offenders into the community through continuity and supervision.

Explaining the establishment of offender programme, Assistant Supt Joel Silas of Serowe prisons said the composition of this community based structure included; community leaders, Village Development Committees, NGOs, FBOs, ex-offenders associations, government organisations and private sector.

Explaining the functions of the programme and its benefit, Sergeant Kebuileng Rapulane, who is also a Chaplain, said the programme helped to facilitate reconciliation and reintegration of ex-offenders, provided feedback on reintegration programmes and monitoring ex-offenders, as well as provided coordination role to community organisations involved in reintegration programmes.

Regarding its benefit, Sgt Rapulane said the programme also helped in increasing the acceptance rate of ex-offenders, reducing stigma towards ex-offenders, reducing crime rate and affording national peace and security.

In her vote of thanks, Maunatlala councillor, Ms Salome Lesole applauded Serowe Prison officials for the initiative to sensitise the community about the Offender Rehabilitation and Integration Programme and for helping community establish a community based committee for offender reintegration.

Ms Lesole also encouraged families of ex-offenders to accept and forgive ex-offenders, as that would make it easier for the entire community to accept them as well.
Organised by Serowe Prison, the kgotla meeting was aimed at rolling out the Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme that was launched last year. ENDS