WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba hailed prison warders as “unsung heroes” in a speech read on his behalf by Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob at the opening of the 16th International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) AGM and conference in Windhoek.
Geingob who jokingly referred to himself as the Head of State told delegates they must imagine it is the President standing there and not him.
Reading Pohamba’s prepared speech, Geingob said Namibia is grateful for being selected to host such a prestigious event.
The President wished participants a wonderful stay in Namibia and assured them that Namibians of all walks of life welcome them with open arms and are delighted to be their hosts.
Pohamba said the ICPA was established to propose innovative ways of managing correctional services such as addressing the challenge of overcrowding of correctional facilities.
Another challenge that faces correctional services is the need to enable them to carry out their mandates and effectively contribute to public safety, as part of the criminal justice system.
He further stressed that the strengthening and development of the human resources capacity of the criminal justice system remains imperative to be able to deal effectively with offenders.
“This conference demonstrates the collective commitment of ICPA members to create better and more efficient correctional services that comply with and adhere to international best practices,” he stated.
He observed that the experiences and expertise that will be shared during the conference will go a long way in finding effective solutions and modern approaches to the challenges faced by correctional services and the broader criminal justice systems.
He urged correctional service managers, administrators and experts to use the platform to make recommendations that will enable governments to initiate and implement interventions and policies to deal with offenders committed for incarceration.
“One of the best ways to ensure that the momentum from this conference is maintained, durable channels of co-operation and exchange of information should be initiated, strengthened and maintained,” Pohamba further stated.
He called on delegates to ensure the recommendations made during the conference are followed up and implemented expeditiously.
According to Pohamba, the rehabilitation of offenders is a complex matter involving multiple stakeholders and as such national correctional policies need to be carefully planned and implemented, in order to achieve desired objectives and maximise their impact on society and on the lives of imprisoned offenders.
For this reason the continued co-operation involving the police force, the judiciary and prisons and correctional services is indispensible.
He further acknowledged the important role that staff of correctional institutions play.
He said correctional officers perform their work in challenging environments and the risks they face on a daily basis are not insignificant.
“Indeed, together with other components of the criminal justice system, they are the unsung heroes who contribute significantly to the maintenance of public safety in our respective countries,” he stressed.
It is vital 21st century correctional service staff acquire modern skills and competencies in order to carry out their duties.
He said the days when being physically fit was the major consideration to become a prison warder are long gone and today correctional officers need an array of competencies and skills to handle the emerging challenges in their environment.
According to Pohamba, Namibia has embraced a modern and evidence-based approached in the management of its correctional facilities and adheres to a management culture underpinned by the promotion of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution, as well as international conventions and treaties.
This leads to offenders being given hope and encouragement to adopt a lifestyle that will facilitate their reintegration into society as law-abiding and productive citizens, he said.
Pohamba acknowledged the benefits the conference will generate for Namibia and expressed his thanks to all special guests.
The opening was attended by the Minister of Safety and Security, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Agnes Kafula, the Mayor of Windhoek, Martha Imalwa, the Prosecutor General and various other persons of prominence.
The conference is being attended by 300 delegates from other African countries, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America. Australia will host the next conference.
By Roland Routh