CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PS REITERATES COMMITMENT TO ENSURING DIGNITY IN CORRECTIONS

By Valentine Mmbone

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco says the department is committed to ensuring safe custody, offender rehabilitation and improved welfare for both inmates and correctional officers.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Founder of the Pan African Dignity in Corrections Initiative (PADCI) Ms. Nina Hanssen, the PS highlighted ongoing efforts to improve conditions in correctional facilities, including the provision of beds and mattresses, while noting existing challenges such as inadequate transport, limited digitalization and the need for clean energy, better hygiene and healthcare. The PS further called for the recognition and rewarding of outstanding correctional officers, even as she underscored the need to modernize correctional training institutions to match evolving standards.

On her part, Ms. Hanssen reaffirmed PADCI’s commitment to supporting the State Department through resource mobilization, pilot rehabilitation programmes, gender-focused initiatives and partnerships aimed at enhancing the dignity of offenders and officers while strengthening correctional services across the country.

The engagement aligns with the department’s strategic focus on partnerships as a core value in delivering efficient and effective management of offenders and administration of justice.