26 Mar 2023

Botswana Prisons Service (BPS) is scheduled to implement a food security strategy that is aimed at intensifying prisoner rehabilitation through training and imparting agro-processing skills.

Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi revealed this in Parliament when he presented the ministry’s budget estimates for the next financial year recently, saying the strategy would contribute to the value chain development priority.

Minister Mmusi said the strategy intended to equip inmates with knowledge pertaining to modernised methods of farming, to emerge competent enough to venture into agro-businesses upon their release from prison.

He said the department had introduced modern irrigation schemes and protected agriculture infrastructure at Gaborone Boys, Letlhakane, Mahalapye, Machaneng and Molepolole prisons during the current financial year.

“The prisons services aim to provide effective offender rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, offering programmes ranging from psycho-social support services, vocational training and education as well as pre-release and reintegration programmes,” he said.

The minister indicated that 532 prisoners had been enrolled in character molding programmes which included assertiveness training, respectful relationships, stress management, anger management, project management, sex offender training, substance abuse and positive parenting.

He added that the BPS continued to embark on vocational training and education programmes, stating that to date, 440 prisoners were engaged in various agricultural programmes, while 410 were involved in industries and construction training programmes, 376 in adult education and 40 in basic computer literacy programme.

On offender reintegration, Minister Mmusi said 426 community-based reintegration committees were formed across the country, out of which 344 were capacitated with emphasis on their purpose, structure, functions and responsibilities.

He further indicated that the total authorised carrying capacity of all the 22 prisons across the country was at 4 337 prisoners and there were only 297 children in prisons as at February this year, representing 11 per cent below the authorised carrying capacity.

He however stated that over-crowding remained a persistent challenge at some of the prisons which he attributed to prison and prisoner classification.

Meanwhile, debating the ministry’s 2023/2024 budget proposals Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi argued for the upgrade of prisons and police infrastructure as well as improvement of employees’ conditions of service.

Mr Mmolotsi also emphasised the need to improve retirement packages for retired army personnel arguing that some ended up on government social welfare nets upon retirement.

On other issues, the legislator expressed concern about illegal gold miners in the Francistown area, something he said called for deployment of more police officers to control the situation.

Mr Mmolotsi also highlighted the need to look into private security services licensing and staff remuneration packages.

Lerala/Maunatlala MP, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele decried stocktheft cases across the country.

Mr Modukanele said it was disheartening that criminals even robbed poverty eradication beneficiaries of their smallstock that was intended to lift them from poverty.

The legislator further expressed concern about the increasing drug use and abuse, particularly in schools.

However, he applauded the ministry for developing and implementing the Botswana Anti-Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse Master Plan with a view to suppress demand and supply of drugs.

Okavango legislator, Mr Kenny Kapinga argued that the defense and security ministry had a responsibility to ensure public safety and the country’s territorial integrity without any political interference.

Mr Kapinga reiterated that it was unjustifiable why the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) was continually allocated a majority share of the ministry’s budget over law enforcement agencies despite the prevailing public safety threats.

He thus pleaded for a reduced military allocation and suggested that the BDF trained reserve soldiers who would only be deployed when there was need.

Further, he said there was need to supply the Botswana Police Service with modern equipment that would enhance their daily service delivery.

Mr Kapinga said the P350 million requested under the Botswana Police Service’s development budget was not enough for the much need police infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, Parliament adopted the ministry’s proposed budget of over P9.8 billion and over P1.8 billion under the recurrent and development budget respectively. Ends