RWANDA: Prisons body commended for rehabilitating convicts
By Susan Babijja
The president of Prison Fellowship International (PFI), Ronald W. Nikkel, has called on countries in the region to borrow a leaf from Rwanda with regard to handling prisoners.
Nikkel, who was on a two day working visit, said that compared to the conditions of prisoners in other Africa countries he has visited, prisoners in Rwanda do not only look better but healthy.
“This is my second visit to Rwanda, but what I have found this time is far beyond what other countries have achieved in terms of improving the state and conditions of prisoners,” Nikkel told The New Times.
He explained that unlike other countries where prisoners are kept behind bars with no productive activities to engage in, Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) has come up with activities that don’t only enable prisoners to contribute towards national development, but also give them capacity and skills to start a new life after serving their sentences.
“It is of great importance to note that after prisoners serve their sentences, they must have somewhere to start from so as to support their families, and also play active roles in society,” he said.
Nikkel encouraged prisoners to work hard and not lose hope, reminding them that there is life after their sentences.
He urged inmates to repent and embrace the national reconciliation programme as one of the measures that will enable them to live harmoniously with others.
PFI is an association of national Prison Fellowship organisations from England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Bahamas.
It was founded three years after Charles W. Colson founded a Prison Fellowship (PF) in the United States in 1976.
With the aim of bringing together men and women from various Christian churches to share the love of God with prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families, currently, the association is made up of PF organisations from over 115 countries, including Rwanda.
Mary Gahonzire, the Deputy Commissioner General RCS, appreciated PFI for the role it has played in bringing PF organisations together and giving them a clear work plan.
He also highlighted on the measures that RCS has put in place for prisoners to access vital services, including health services, Rights education among others.
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