10 Nov 2013

The officer In charge of Moshupa Boys Prison, Senior Superintendent Michael Phiri says prisoners’ behavior is generally good as exhibited by zero escapes in the past two years.

Supt Phiri said during a talent show by the Moshupa Boys prison inmates held in Moshupa on November 8. Mr Phiri said Moshupa Boys Prison was for young offenders and currently held over 150 inmates between the ages of 17-22 years. He said the main aim of the prisons service was to rehabilitate offenders so that they can be assimilated back into society and contribute meaningfully to both the community and the country.

“it is our belief that through talent, one can make a living, and many people have become successful through their talents and have become professionals and business people’’, he said. Present at the show was Mr Taolo Moshaga, who motivated inmates to show their talents. He said they should not give up in life because there is hope for a bright future after they have served their prison terms, ‘’moremogolo go betlwa wa taola wa motho wa ipetla’’, he said.

Mr Moshaga encouraged inmates to keep on exhibiting their talents and to take part in sports activities. He said their talents can help them find employment after leaving prison.

‘’Metlhale ya khumo e mentsi, e tlhoka balatedi, e bile motlhopha ntsi ke yo kgorang’’, meaning that, there are many ways of killing a cat and also they should not be selective as they seek work.

When making remarks, Deputy District Commissioner of Moshupa, Ms Keamogetse Segokgo expressed a sincere gratitude to the office of the commissioner for having managed to grace such an occasion. She said inmates should be taught about government assistance programmes so that when they leave prison, they may benefit from them since they have various talents which they can use to benefit from such programmes.

She said the gathering is very significant in the history of Moshupa Boys Prison. She appealed to the Moshupa community leaders to assist prison officials in nurturing inmates.

The objective of the show however, was to promote self-confidence and encourage teamwork among inmates. Senior Superintendent Anastacia Ramotshabi said there are government programmes available for inmates to take advantage of once their prison terms have come to an end. Ends