Government says it has spent billions of Kwacha towards the construction and rehabilitation of various prison infrastructure across the nation, in line with the policies of government aimed at improving the conditions in prisons.
Home Affairs Minister, Mkhondo Lungu said this in Kabwe last evening during the senior prison officers’ annual ball held at Zambezi Source Lodge.
He said the Zambia prison services plays a pivotal role in contributing to the well being of the general public by reforming the wrong-doers.
Mr. Lungu called for an appropriate internal security system to be put in place for correctional and custodial services in an effort to ensure the improvement of the living conditions in prisons, in conformity with the United Nations standard minimum rules on the welfare of prisoners.
The Minister said, Livingstone, Kalabo, Luwingu, Monze, Mwinilunga and Mpima remand prisons were under-going rehabilitation, while the Mwembeshi maximum prison which was in the last phase was nearing completion, in an effort to decongest the prisons.
Mr. Lungu disclosed that K815 million was spent on the construction of a storage shed for the Zambia Prison Service at Chitumba Open –Air prison in Mumbwa District.
He commended the Service for maintaining the record of producing more food in the agricultural sector, resulting in considerable reduction of food shortages in prisons, adding that Government would render support to enable the Prison Service construct a milling plant, for proving reliance in food production.
He however, admitted that Government was aware of the challenges of under-staffing, under-funding and in-adequate transport faced by the Service, but assured that his Ministry was addressing the situation with the seriousness it deserved.
Speaking during the same occasion, Commissioner of Prisons, Percy Chato urged the men and women serving in the Zambia Prison Service to remain patriotic and loyal to the Government of the day as the nation goes to the polls this year.
Commissioner Chato warned that he would deal with any Prison officers found to be indulging in partisan politics.
“I am aware this is an election year and some Officers may be swayed into partisan politics, l would like to categorically state that, partisan politics will not be condoned in all prisons across the country.
l therefore urge all the officers to work professionally, remain diligent in the discharge of your duties, take a none-partisan stance and don’t fall prey to partisan manipulation,” he said.
ZANIS
These are annual balls are taking alot of money instead of feeding the prisoners. You find that all those paticipating in these are balls have big stomachs. They can even hardly dance. Their buttocks, stomachs very big. Stop those nosense balls.
The last rehabilitations were done in KKs time. This just goes to show the hard work across all zambia RBs GRZ is putting in.
# 2 ya prisoners voted in last year, when RB took advantage of the dead to be a president. He is lucky the prisoners will vote again, only in Zambia, amazing.
#3 Stop spreading lies. Prisoners in Zambia don’t vote, that’s the law and it has not changed. You should only post that which is truthful or shut up. No rumours made to look like facts.