OMARURU - Adequate correctional facilities’ staff is critical in order to ensure safety and security on a 24-hour basis, while creating a conducive environment for the effective delivery of rehabilitation programmes.
These remarks were made by Vice President Nangolo Mbumba while addressing the shortage of custodial officers within the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS), required to provide dynamic and human intervention security.
He said during the celebration of the 17th NCS Day held in Omaruru on Thursday that this shortage has negatively impacted the daily responsibilities of correctional services, such as the manning of entrances and exits, and guarding of inmates admitted at public hospitals, amongst others.
“Therefore, more efforts should be made to ensure that adequate staff are recruited to improve effective delivery of services at our national correctional centres,” he expressed.
Mbumba, however, commended the NCS’ offender risk management correctional strategy which was implemented in 2010, noting that it has been instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness of Namibia’s correctional system, and ensuring the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
“I would also like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all those who are involved in the correctional service for their dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment in carrying out their demanding duties, and further acknowledge the resilience and determination of the offenders who have taken steps towards rehabilitation.”
Erongo governor Neville Andre likewise emphasised the crucial role of the correctional service in ensuring public safety, maintaining order and providing opportunities for offenders to reintegrate into society.
He said in 2022 in the Erongo region, 72 inmates were enrolled in the Thinking and Living Skills for Re-Integration programme, whilst 69 completed several other programmes offered during their rehabilitation.
“I would, therefore, like to commend the Namibian government, through the NCS, for creating an opportunity to raise awareness of the department and the commendable work it does to foster community engagement, and to advocate for positive changes within the correctional system,” he added.
The event was held under the theme ‘Striving Towards a Safe Society Through Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders’.
It was also attended by commissioner generals of the Zimbabwean, Eswatini, Zambian, South African and Botswana correctional services/prisons.
-Nampa