Otjiwarongo
A lack of land and funding was cited among the factors that hinder the Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) in its mandate. Among many pressing needs, funds are needed to construct modren correctional facilities at Oluno and Outapi.
NCS Commissioner General Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela highlighted the challenges faced by the directorate at the five-day Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security workshop in Otjiwarongo that ends today.
The five-day workshop that started on Monday is being attended by MPs and senior government officials from the Ministry of Safety and Security and the Secretariat of Parliament.
The commissioner general said NCS was particularly faced with financial difficulties and will require more funds in the next five years to construct new Oluno and Outapi facilities and adequate staff accommodation.
Hamunyela says NCS currently needs almost N$33.9 million.
NCS will also require land and funds to construct remand detention facilities at Eenhana, Outapi, Rundu, Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Keetmanshoop.
He said NCS will further require funds to develop community service offices at Eenhana, Opuwo and Ohangwena.
Additionally, NCS will also require land and funds to construct a regional headquarters for the central command in Windhoek, southern command at Keetmanshoop, north-western command at Ondangwa and north-eastern command at Rundu.
Among other challenges are duplicated infrastructure, shortage of security items, vehicles and firearms.
Furthermore, NCS is also faced with financial constraints in acquiring information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and training officers in ICT programs.
NCS currently has two senior officers and three juniors with ICT capacity to cover operations at 13 facilities in the country.
Funds are also needed to fill 76 vacant positions on the staff establishment.
Among the achievements he highlighted were the upgrade of the integrated security system including baggage scanners at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, the improved ability to detect the illegal import of prohibited articles into correctional facilities and the installation of two-way radio communication systems at all correctional facilities.
Furthermore the directorate has installed standby generators at three facilities that can supply sufficient power to the whole facility when power failure occurs.
NCS has also successfully upgraded the intercom system at the Windhoek Correctional Facility and installed a new system at E. Nepamba and Hardap correctional facilities.