Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Levy calls for the decongestion of prisons in the country

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President Levy Mwanawasa says there is immediate need to decongest prisons in the country to guarantee respect of prisoner’s human rights.

Mr. Mwanawasa said overcrowding in prisons was tantamount to abuse of human rights of inmates, noting that in some instances, prisons that were designed to accommodate 100 people were now occupied by 1000 people.

He said this at State today when he swore in Gibby Nawa, who is new Commissioner of
Prisons, taking over from Jethro Mumbuwa, who has since been retired.

He said he could not justify the prevailing situations in Zambian prisons, adding
that one of the immediate solutions was to pardon some prisoners.

“Sometime back, I asked you to recommended people that I can pardon, but up to now
you have not done that, I do not know if you want me to do that at independence. But
I would have loved that we do it much earlier,” he said.

Mr. Mwanawasa said it was important to release prisoners that have faithfully served
their sentences and create room for criminals.

He urged Mr. Nawa to carry on with what he termed as an excellent performance left
by his predecessor.

“I want prisoners to feed themselves,” he said.

52 COMMENTS

  1. iyo kwena elyo paba, kashi chuchu tamwene ukuti ama-prisons tayakwata space? they were built before independence when the population was 6 million te? ala umusangu uyu walwala chuchu ubi sana, sad takwaba umuti. the best solution ku ma prison is to expand the prisons that’s all and not releasing criminals prematurely into society te? we need to drain grey matter from chuchu’s head. this is serious pipo. food for thought …

  2. Ba Jose… The problem of prison congestion has been created by the lazy judiciary system. Half of the people in prisons are not even hardcore criminals. Some of them baibile fye itaba pa market 5 years ago but they have never seen their day in court. I personally know someone who was accused of stealing K10 Pin by his cousing the police picked him up and through him in Chimbokaila. He was there for a year without appearing in court he ended up dying there. The problem is very serious. bamo abaiche i milandu ba panga just require uku boma ifikoti. Thats why in some countries they have predetermind sentences for petty thieves. If you are arrested pantu wali iba itaba. The sentence can never exceed 3 months. If you are put in Chimbokaila and the three months elapses before going to court you are supposed to be release. These are some of the things we should do. I hope LPM is not just talking. We need to clean up this mess.

  3. Kuku, elo naboma, and nasanga ukuti my 3 workers bali pa shitalaka(strike) asking for 50% increments. you know kuku, when you have workers with out dated names like “kabuswe, chipulu, doro” know for sure ati uli muma talabulo (troubles) but I surprised them by giving them 75% increment. so tea ya kandolo and bread ya makotapela is on pa inters iyandika ama zim-zim nama TZ panyaz.

    SAGE, ufwa chuchu ati release prisons who have served sentences. what does that mean? he is keeping prisons beyond their due days te? chuchu must be castrated feel feel te?

  4. #1-3 BaJoze what I find intriguing is lack of long term strategic plans by our leaders.The only improvement I have seen done to the prison service is the one in Ridgeway where inmates come through underground from Chimbokaila to the courts without mingling with the public and after sentencing they go back the same route , delays caused by lack of transport have been reduced, as for releasing these old prisoners measures must be put in place.Did you see what Never Spoiler Kapenda did after being recommended to be a born Again Xtian? He went back to his evil ways because they just threw into the streets and thought he will survive on manner from chuchu, he was elimnated through the barrel of gun.So social safety net must be in place for those to be released like captain Solo

  5. BaJoze welcome back but did you bring some ARVs?Are we safe with the change of title to our properties in the UK.Well done ba Joze you did well to give your workers a 75% salary increment but start contributing their pensions as well through a money purchase scheme.
    Iam also just doing half yearly accounts for my business and forcasts for the next six months so that I can give them a raise since transport is gone up by 300%.Iam trying to send some chaps into college,Fashion Phiri, Spiderman Dongo, Handlebar Mwanza they want to study Marketing,Drip Lungu,Concubine Sakala,Polonium Banda,Half Baked Muzimai Mwanza, they want to pursue AAT,then I have this troublesome but hard working chap -Statehouse Chuchu Alibe Nzelu he wants to study Mid wifery but I have no surgery , may be BaJOze since you are diversifying can I pay for his training and then you can have him in your Surgery? He is very good ,he other skills include delivering animals.

  6. Do prisoners who have already “faithfully served their sentences” still need a presidential pardon?
    Kuku, many professional hardcore criminals like Kapenda or defilers who usually find it hard to earn an income or love through honest means, often go back. But there are many other types who reform. SAGE’s pointing out some of those.

  7. #4 to add to your well articulated point. In other Countries they call it Correctional services. The objective is to rehabilitate the prisoner. There also has to be a practical way of introducing Ex-Cons into society without just throwing them on the streets and hope they will survive. In the USA for instance they have a system where the department of correctional services finds low paying jobs for the Ex-Cons for them to be able to earn a living. At the same time they are supposed to report to the parole officer who monitors their activity. I know in a country like Z its unlikely to provide employment to Ex-Cons since we can not even employ law abiding citizens. But we can develop some system in the lines of ZNS to make these people productive while earning a living… As for Kapenda what did you expect? He hard no options, You dont expect someone to be imprisond for 30 yrs and expect them to come out and fend for themselves. Its not practical.There were no support structures for him

  8. #6 but Francis we still need to rehabilitate these people for them to be fused back into society.The stigma that goes with ex prisoners can not be ignored, something must be in place even small offenders like stealing a cob of maize, cos they must have been a reason as to why that crime was commited and that is where remedial measures come in than leaving them to start life on their own,its actually difficult.I know there is that Prison NGO but its not that well funded but it had done quite alot,but the onus is on the State to protect and help these ex offenders get back to decent life

  9. #7 Many thanks SAGE for that data about correctional services,I sent something to you, check it when you have time.This NGO run by a pastor has done tremendous work but the responsibility is just overwhelming.

  10. BaJoze why cant we invest in prisons ?Can you propose this to chuchu?I think we can make good bucks out of it.What we do we employ these prisoners to work on the farms as job on training and they become salaried then we just pay taxes to Magande how is that?

  11. #10 no problem SAGE , she is very hard working and experienced but be ready for frequent maternity vacations.Its like they are planning a nursery with the husband Nizakututa Mwanza, he is a plumber at UTH.

  12. #4 if what capt solo said was true then release him and if what he said was not true then drop the ba FTJ case case te?

    #SAGE get me right here te? when we say give him a hand what do we mean?
    1 America: means Applaud
    2.Britain: means help/assist
    3.Zambia : means ulupi (ikapila or icitutu) te?
    i know you are asking ‘what am talking about?’simple, chuchu must be slapped.

  13. sage, i like ur points, but i suggest prison should be a place to have no admiration for. i would like all prisoners to contribute to national development by agriculture and industrial operations. security must be enhanced and these guys should at the end of the day learn something , skills, they can use in life as law abiding citizens

  14. sage, i like ur points, but i suggest prison should be a place to have no admiration for. i would like all prisoners to contribute to national development by agriculture and industrial operations. security must be enhanced and these guys should at the end of the day learn something , skills, they can use in life as law abiding citizens,,,

  15. Kuku,I am impressed you have talked about a money purchase scheme for workers.You know,I have for a long time now been telling myself,the only and surest way of guaranteeing a social safety net for retirees is to introduce such a scheme.Instead of just contributing to NAPSA where the money does not grow an inch,individuals can make contriubutions to their own accounts and be able to invest in stocks,CDs,Bonds,Treasuries etc.Gov.can enact legislation that you cannot withdraw this money until age 60.If you withdraw before that age,you would pay something like 10% penalty and taxes.This may sound complicated,but fellas,the only way our country will progress is through such plans.The problem we face today where retirees cannot get their money immediately upon retirement is very pathetic.This scheme would encourage individuals to save and be in control of their retirement.Companies can even engage their own money managers to oversee their employees’ accounts.Any thoughts anybody?

  16. KC good man, but check, we are living in a new world. Pipo get salary for what they work for. So the conditions of employment is agreed upon before u actually get satarted. Pipo themselves shud learn to invest while they are working. If they get lil doll, then sad story. Otherwise whos baby shud u be at 60 any way?

  17. What I’d like to see is that ex-prisoners be treated as humans.Once branded a criminal, former inmates are outcasts in Zambian society.Many go back to prison, because they are not properly rehabilitated. They have no where to go. Society rejects them, their families reject them.When a prisoner comes out people tend to be hostile.No one would receive them or walk with them. So don’t expect society to roll out the red carpet – but don’t get discouraged.But for those inside, the struggle to survive is the main concern. Even if the government does succeed in reducing overcrowding in the prisons, it needs to address the failures of a justice and penal system which has allowed thousands of Zambians to be in prison for years without trial.

  18. Ba Nkataboyeeee !!! you are bring another topic. did you read the article above mwebo ba Nkataboyeee? plz read #1 & 13. ala musebanya ukusendapofwe icishi te? youngman dont twist thing to your own understanding te? that’s why they are so many churhes misleading innocent souls. iwe ba nkataboy mwalinua ink but let it not ya faint pen iyingaba dissolved mu-rain te?

  19. ok no response! naya mukupanga tea pa inters ya kandolo.

    Reminder to kafyuka, i dont drink chibuku or chekaz te? but i only go for fast foward. do you know the verctors iwe?

  20. Most of the prisoners in Zambia are serving a sentence (with hard labour) So why dont we use these chaps in road construction, farming etc. Cant we have a system where famers can hire a bunch of this cheap labour? I remember back in the day at milima prison the prison hard prety much the biggest farm in Kasama. Is that trend still continuing? Ba Jose enlighten me. Pakokola more than 10 years mu diaspora. So chuchu is releasing people who have already served their sentence te. These people are smoking something. Chituwo alefwaya indala shabana 200 miters. Chuchu alechita padoni abantu aba pwisha sentence. Ba Jose na Kuku what kind of a join are you guys running there? Is it so hard for a lawyer to know that when some one serves their time they are free to go. or that you cant have 200 milion kids out of a population of 10 milion? Or the fact that you cant just work up and reposes injanji there are procedures to follow. Guys landen na carbage twa sebana pafula.

  21. CONGRATS BA JOSE:
    You have managed to influence pretty much to start communicating the way we talk in the Zambian streets mix bemba,njanja,lozi etc ne chingeleshi.
    remember leadership is influence and not position. keep it up

  22. CLINTON COLLECTED MORE THAN $10 MILLION FROM SPEECHES
    By Jim Kuhnhenn
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Former President Bill Clinton, who might someday be the first gentleman, traveled the globe last year and made more than $10 million (€7.5 million) giving speeches at corporate retreats, trade group gatherings and motivational venues.
    The speaking engagements and their top-dollar fees were detailed in Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate financial disclosure report, made public Thursday. The report showed that the former president and his presidency-seeking wife had assets of at least $10 million (€7.5 million), but could have as much as $50 million (€37.6 million) with no liabilities.
    When it comes to family affluence, the reports show that the New York senator is the wealthiest of all members of Congress seeking the presidency. Among all presidential candidates, however, Republican Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, stands alone with assets of between $190 million (€142.8 million) and $250 million (€187.9 million). Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat John Edwards have each reported assets of about $30 million (€22.6 million).
    The former president was particularly popular abroad. During one four-day stretch last September, he was in England, Ireland, South Africa, Germany and Denmark. The trip yielded $1.74 million (€1.3 million) in speaking fees.
    Clinton’s speech income, while lucrative, is hardly unusual among politicians. Giuliani, in a financial disclosure report filed last month, reported grossing $11.4 million (€8.6 million) for speeches last year. Edwards said he made $395,000 (€296,900) in paid speeches, mostly at colleges.

  23. YES TALK IS NOT CHEAP

    ….the million dollar question at individual level, is how much dollar value does your time in blogs make you and your country at the end of it all? Americans say ” you put money where your mouth is” otherwise talk if not smart can prove you chaep.Tie your rhetoric to some serious value.

  24. #26 &27 why is KK still having problems to settle his legal fees ?This man has been giving speeches and lectures abroad and even taught at Boston Universty for 2 years? Why is this man still so greedy at 83? KK please go and settle those fees may be those lawyers can drive Mercs not the Fiat Unos some of them drive which smoke like they are fed on kaponda(smoke pipe)

  25. Kuku,
    KK always make good money in all his appearances world over wherever good speech arrangements have been made. His speeches are always worth alot of Dollars overseas. Just recently in Los Angeles, where he spoke and danced with stars, KK was given more than US $265,000. His residency teaching at Boston University for a year gobbled that University unbelievable figures i can’t post here. The challenges is that the old man ploughs alot of his earnings into charities of opharns and supporting his own Grand children heavily unemployed and dependants. The Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa is heavily funded from his speeech income.Thus, not stunning that he is having trouble to pay off those attornies. His Cash is ever tied up to humantarian causes which i personally admire so much unlike Chiluba who vested all in concubines and worthless shoes to vainly bump up his dimutative height God cursed him with.

  26. Paparazzi you are right Kaunda channels his many in charity that is what a human being should do help others. Ka Kafupi as made any charity organisation the man has not give back to his nation he is greed and selfish. If has done a thing I think no one would hauling insults at him. In the case of Kaunda settling his bills it actually unfair to ask money from him when he won the case. The state has to pay for Kaunda this a diffirent between former heads of state. Look why did many people leave MMD at chiluba era even former vice President Tembo resigned his position. There must be something wrong with the man.

  27. Ba Joze, you mean ukupanga tea pa inters, kanshi ni shakerz na chibuku mulelandapo? Kusuminafye ba Joze ati shakerz ilamwafya sana ukutusha bwino after a day’s work. Anyway, decongestion of prisons should go in line with reformation of inmates, not just for the sake of emptying the prisons and let loose those people without any skills. Tomorrow ba Joze, you will see these people back in prisons, and congestion will resurface. So, chuchu should put in place a system which will help these in-mates after leaving the prisons.

  28. #29 Paparazzi you are not an honest person hence your name.If you have managed to post Clintons millions what is so special about KK’s?Secondly,if KK raises funds for his charities surely there must a line, in what capacity does he do that?If the receipients are his charities then that is not his money cos the donors have been given already where and what the money would be used for.To me your brainswashed to see reality from illusion.the whole thing is dellusional.He just has to pay his bills, business and personal business must not be mixed,no wonder people like you paparazi go burst.

  29. Honourable Gentlemen especially those who are Fathers

    IAM WISHING YOU A HAPPY FATHERS DAY TOMORROW-17/06/07

    BUT FOR PEOPLE LIKE CITIZEN,HK,EASY, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT NOT ALL MEN ARE FATHERS BUT ALL FATHERS ARE MEN.SO PLACE YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY

  30. #18 KC,I can tell you must have left Zambia a long time ago.KC this country has moved on for your own information all insurance companies are running these schemes through their finacial services wings and private companies are actually using this policy for their employees.In most cases, companies put up 10% on top of an employee’s contribution of minimun 5% and the law is even now flexible if you change jobs you can reclaim both your employee and employers contribution if you dont want any roll overs ,except that excesses after the allowable credit are taxed at 37.5% and you go back home with a wide open mouth.This country has a wonderful developmental environment,its just leveraging the playing ground where it is weak and lacking.Even where you are, you can start up a ‘wealth builder scheme’ with Madison Insurance, this scheme has higher returns if you contribute heavily and is better than most of these short term instruments,better than what you can get in baby bonds for kids

  31. #22 Ba Jose,
    I don’t respond any how to people of low calibre. Think a bigger picture. What do you think brings about congestion in prison? I of course saw and read the topic before forwarding my blog. And my contribution was in line with the topic. Unless you are wearing mycrospic glases you can not see sense from the bigger objective.

  32. #36 inkata-boy, what a contradiction? what a judgment? mwaice inkata-boy, that kind of thinking brings segregation and divisions in society. i will give you a good example, during campaign time nominated MPs are seen in compounds (like george, msisi etc) solicit votes,but when they go to parliament they even stop visiting those places. Thats exactly your type, looking down at pipo at they are “kaponyaz” they are not in your class. Mind you, for a society to be complete it must have 3 classes, (upper, middle and lower).upper class need garden boys and garden boys need an income from upper class pipo.

    Let me hammer you now. iwe inkataboy, anybody who read your comment would agree with me that you talked off target, a quote from what you said #21 “What I’d like to see is that ex-prisoners be treated as humans.Once branded a criminal, former inmates are outcasts in Zambian society” has this comment has to do with space? damn fool !!!

  33. #36 Ka Joze,
    I never realised that you can sink so low to the level of failing to differentiate between yourself who is a fool and a wise person like me. Out of all the bloggers, why should you be the only one to foolishy attack and denounce me?I had alot of respect for you but now I have realised that it was a mistake. I was putting you where you did not belong. Those qoutes you highlighted are some of the causes that make former inmates to go back to prison. I think you now realise what I mean you foolish chap. Failure to respect others results in being desrespected. I had decided to pause to participate on this blog because of silly chaps like you who are fond of insulting.Try me again and you will see how I will finish you silly chap.

  34. #36 Jose,
    Watch out. Talk on what you know very well about Lenshina and not me. Me am anoza.Next time you attempt to insult me I will have no choice but to jump on Mazhando Bus Service and come to take you on physically with that ka pot belly of yours.Let us make the blog an inviting window of expressing one’s opinions and not a ruthless arena full of nothing but insults.If others and I stop contributing, are you going to handle this window alone? Please be mindful I am not joking.

  35. #33KUKU

    You are confusing yourself yet again, please refrain from using borrowed adages.

    There is nothing special about being a Father, Any mature male whose reproductive system works is capable of being a Father. This includes steet kids, mentaly challenged individuals,rogues, trumps, bums including the scum of the earth rapists and defilers.

    Instead I take pride in being called a parent.I take this responsibilty so serously that I have become my Childrens role model and hero.I provide parental guidance to them. If my Children were to read my contributions on the blog they would be proud of me.

    Every mature man can be a Father,but not every father can be a parent.Chose where you belong

  36. #38 39 Nkhata Boy
    My dear brother let not this clown Jose annoy you. We appreciate your value laden contributions greatly.
    Jose is just a spoiler who has nothing substantive to contribute.

    Such men as Jose are sycophants with no spine.For now ignore him he may smear dirt on your clean image.
    Enjoy your day my brother

  37. #41 Citizen, I salute you my brother with respect of high order. I have taken your advice. I am happy that you have noticed the wrong that I smelt. Well, I have forgiven Ba Jose and I say let us start all over again with a view of criticising ideas and not insulting individuals. Once more I wish to thank you for your very well intended advice.
    Best regards

  38. #42

    Thanks for a new begining,I am sure Jose will reinvent himself and stop being personal.
    All is well that ends well

  39. #40 Iwe Ci Citizen you are correct when you say every
    “Any mature male whose reproductive system works is capable of being a Father.” Capbality of creating children is what differents men from fathers kanshi waba shani.A father is one who is able to create and parent a family.A parent is either mother or Father.The fact that you have confirmed your are ‘capable’I also send my belated Happy fathers day.Well done .
    BaJoze kanshi nishani mulecucunganya umwaice Nkhataboy?He has just returned from Germany, give him space.We have alot to learn from him especially on the macro stability of that economy.Nkhataboy not hard feelings you are pals with BaJoze continue with your contributions.Take after Ci Citizen who neither gets annoyed nor retaliates.

  40. #45 we still have impositors on this blog again? #45 Hon gentlemen was not posted by me, where do these kids come from? Persoannly I will ask LusakaTimes to block your IP address whoever it is on #45, wabipa amakufi

  41. #44 Kuku,
    Point noted. I have no hard feelings against Ba Jose. I am just sad that he is so annoyed that he has decided to pen off. Come back Ba Jose. Friction is expected among branches of the tree that cross. Implying friction is a norm of the day for people that are really close.

  42. #48 Citizen its the work of the enemy now if we dont have such chaps in society the society wont balance,we need them except they are doing it the wrong way, they should do it proudly even if they are copying my habits

  43. LONDON (Reuters) – Non-violent offenders may be let out of jail early in an attempt to relieve overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales, reports said on Tuesday.

    (Advertisement)
    As many as 2,000 low-level criminals such as burglars, fraudsters and drug dealers could be released, but the programme will not include those convicted of violent or sex crimes.

    According to The Times newspaper, convicts will be risk-assessed by prison staff before being freed. Those considered for release would have been sentenced to less than four years and be nearing the end of their terms, it said.

    The Times said Secretary of State of Justice, Charles Falconer, was considering the plan to combat rising prison numbers. He is expected to make a decision later this week.

    A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice would not comment on the report, but said in a statement: “The national offender management service continues to explore options to actively manage the prison population.”

    The current prison population is 80,977 — only 500 short of total capacity.

    Some prisoners have been held in police and court cells to help ease jail overcrowding at an estimated cost of 30 million pounds since last October.

    “This is disgraceful and a direct consequence of the government’s absolute failure to deal with the crises in our prisons,” David Davis, home affairs spokesman for the opposition Conservatives, said in a statement.

    “It is bad enough that the British public have been paying the one million pounds a week bill of keeping offenders in court cells, now we see they are going to pay with their safety.”

    Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said the plan to release prisoners early was not before time.

    “It is awful that it has reached a pitch where government is having to take a quick, short-term fix,” she told BBC radio. “We are simply hoping this can be used as a kind of respite to make a proper, consistent and sane plan.”

    She said overcrowding was causing damage to prisoners and staff and creating volatile conditions in jails.

  44. The Zambian prison service is also actively looking at reactivating the parole system.This will enable offenders save part of their remaining years outside under supervision. To this end several names are being proposed to be included on the parole boards once this structure is formalised.

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