18/04/2024
Was privileged to speak online at a round table discussion Organised by Penal Reform International at the 6th Congress on Probation and Parole.
It's interesting to note that the last available figures state that Zambia has 26 150 people in prison in Zambia. They are 87 correctional centers nation wide, 52 are conventional, 33 are open air correctional farms, and two are maximum security prisons. The holding capacity of Zambia's correctional centers is currently at 9 150, against the total population estimate of 26 150. This means the centers are populated by a near three folds (286%).
The effects of this violation include the violation of rights, violation of national and international standards for people in prison, inadequate and over stretched physical infrastructure, poor hygiene and health conditions, poor and inadequate probation such as skills development and recreation.
As a human rights advocate I believe now is the time to ensure that we implement well alternatives like probation, community service and Parole. In South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria etc, community service, probation and parole are fully functional and used in helping to decongest prisons.
Once you serve one third of your sentence you will be given parole. If you have a 5 year sentence, after you serve 10 months you will be given the option based on recommendation.
We need to advocate strongly using the Tokyo, Mandela and Bangkok Rules for alternatives to incarceration ‼️
