A storm is brewing at the Windhoek Correctional Facility as it faces both critical staff shortages and overcrowding pressures that threaten safety and rehabilitation efforts.
The Windhoek Correctional Facility, designed to hold 174 inmates, is battling severe staff shortages and overcrowding, with 682 posts currently vacant and several housing units operating above capacity.
This was revealed by assistant commissioner at the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) Eleanor Nawa, head of case management services, during a presentation at the facility yesterday at the official opening of the Namibia-Angola Joint Technical Team (JTT) in Windhoek.
Nawa said the institution’s approved staff structure provides for 1 121 officers. However, only 439 positions are currently occupied.
Of the 439 officers in place, 200 are female and 239 are male.
“Our minimum and low-medium units are capable of 120 inmates. We are currently overcrowded because we are loaded with offenders from other facilities who also have to be accommodated in these units,” she said.
In one of the most pressured sections, C Section, which has a capacity of 100 inmates, the facility is currently holding 137 inmates, 37 above its limit.
H Section, built for 18 inmates, is holding 28. One of the medium units, with a capacity of 60, is holding 118 inmates, nearly double its design capacity.
Foreign nationals
The nationality breakdown of inmates also shows a significant foreign population.
The facility is currently holding 176 Angolan nationals who were transferred from other facilities. Other foreign inmates include eight South Africans, five Chinese nationals, three Zambians and two Zimbabweans.
There is also one American, one Brazilian, one German, one Kenyan, one Nigerian and one Pakistani national.
In terms of sentencing, 29 inmates are serving life sentences, while 286 inmates are serving sentences longer than 60 months. A total of 58 inmates are State patients, who were found mentally incapacitated at the time of their offences.
At the lower end of the scale, 415 inmates are serving sentences of less than one month. The age profile shows that most inmates fall within the working-age group. There are 269 inmates aged between 29 and 38 as well as 287 aged between 49 and 59. The oldest inmate is 77 years old and is serving a 14-year sentence for murder and assault.
“We look at the initial security classification of inmates when they are admitted. This helps us determine the level of security where they should be placed,” Nawa said. Despite the challenges, the facility has rolled out rehabilitation initiatives, including accredited technical vocational training programmes and a chess programme supported by the Namibian Chess Federation.
Angolans
During the engagement, NCS Commissioner General of the Namibian Correctional Service Raphael Amunyela said they are holding 184 Angolan nationals, with 107 applying to be transferred to Angola.
The joint team, established between Namibia and Angola, will verify inmates claiming Angolan nationality and facilitate transfers under the bilateral agreement that came into force in November 2022.
Only 17 of the 107 applicants currently have national identification documents required under Article 9 of the transfer agreement.
A total of 73 inmates have indicated that they do not wish to be transferred, while four do not qualify because they are still awaiting trial. Hamunyela said Namibia previously initiated the transfer process after the agreement took effect – when 98 Angolan nationals applied.
However, only 11 had the required identification documents at the time, leaving 87 without proper documentation.
Further, of the 184 Angolan nationals in custody, 180 are sentenced inmates, while four are awaiting trial.
Of the total, 181 are male and three are female. The offences committed include stock theft (32 cases), immigration offences (31), rape (29), escape (25), dealing in or possession of drugs (21), housebreaking (19), assault (13), murder (11), nature conservation offences (9), theft (8) and possession of illicit goods (6). “The importance of inmates serving their sentences close to their families cannot be overemphasised, as it is critical for their rehabilitation and social reintegration into society,” he said. The 12-member multi-sectoral delegation from Angola is led by deputy prosecutor general Francisca do Rosário Rasgado Marques.
They are also expected to participate in the verification process.
Holding cells
Overcrowding of cells is not only unique to the NCS.
Recent statistics presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Safety and Security during its familiarisation visit paint a worrying picture of overcrowding in police holding cells across the country.
At Windhoek Police Cells, designed to hold 120 detainees, there were 145 inmates at the time of reporting. Otjomuise was holding 137 against a capacity of 120, while Mariental had 90 inmates in cells meant for only 60 people. Similar pressure was recorded in Keetmanshoop, which housed 78 detainees despite a capacity of 60. The situation is even more severe in some northern and northeastern towns. Eenhana Police Cells, built for 60 inmates, were holding 270 – more than four times their intended capacity.
Oshikango had 200 detainees in space meant for 70, while Nkurenkuru recorded 207 inmates against a capacity of 70.
Rundu was holding 249 awaiting-trial inmates in cells designed for 100, and Katima Mulilo had 262 in a facility built for 60. Other towns also reported significant strain. Tsumeb had 177 inmates in a 100-capacity facility, Oshakati had 224 in cells built for 130, Ondangwa had 172 in a 60-capacity block, and Outapi had 190 in space meant for 60. Gobabis stood out sharply, with 224 inmates in cells designed for only 60 people.
Opuwo was holding 77 detainees in a facility built for 30, while Walvis Bay recorded 114 inmates against a capacity of 60. Two facilities, Okahao and Swakopmund, were closed for renovation at the time. In total, police cells were holding 2 969 inmates, including foreign nationals. – ljason@nepc.com.na