Africa-Press – Botswana. Offender rehabilitation and reintegration into the society is a vital comprehensive and holistic crime-fighting strategy.
Despite this, it was shown that upon release from prison, ex-offenders are faced with numerous challenges that weaken the possibility of reform and influence ex-offenders to re-offend.
Botswana Prisons Service divisional commander in Francistown, Senior Superintendent Gabriel Magole, said during a capacity-building workshop for reintegration and formation of committees at Mmashoro village on Tuesday that while serving their offences at prison, offenders were shaped to become law-abiding citizens and taken through the school curriculum from Standard Seven, Junior Certificate through Form Five, adding that some were being taught handcrafts.
Snr Supt Magole said the objective was to create a enabling environment that allowed for effective involvement of the community in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
The purpose of the workshop themed; A Culture of High Performance, was to form reintegration committees in villages to foster social reintegration of offenders within their communities.
They are also envisaged to afford ex-offenders the opportunity to lead positive, productive and meaningful life free from crime.
Sen. Supt said the move would also provide opportunity for establishment of networking and sustenance of partnerships between the prison service and the community.
The divisional commander pointed out that they wanted to assist ex-offenders to lead a crime free life and become productive citizens.
For his part, Serowe Prisons Service’ Superintendent Andrew Ramokapane observed that upon release, offenders were rejected by their families and communities, hence the decision to form village committees.
However, Assistant Superintendent Seremane Sikwane expressed concern about the overcrowding of prison cells, more especially with the youth.
Asst Supt Sikwane called on members of the community to change their mindset and welcome the offenders, particularly that government funded the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Commenting, some participants said ex-offenders should be welcomed back into the society, saying they should be forgiven.
Kgosi Moses Bakoko of Paje said ex-offenders should not be ignored by their families, saying they should be welcomed warmly regardless of the offences committed because they had reformed.
He said villagers should desist from calling them names and fearing them.
Kgosi Kebadiretse Kebonemang of Dimajwe said some of the offences were unforgettable, hence the need to further educate the public on the importance of reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-offenders.
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