Member of Parliament for Dodoma Urban, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, together with members of the development group 'Dodoma Legends,' made a significant visit to Isanga Central Prison in Dodoma on December 28, 2024.
The group was warmly welcomed by Commissioner of Law and Prison Operations (CP) Nicodemus Tenga, who represented the Commissioner General of Prisons (CGP), Jeremiah Katungu.
The visit aimed to enhance the welfare of inmates and strengthen collaboration between the community and the Tanzania Prisons Service.
During the visit, Hon. Mavunde and Dodoma Legends presented various donations, which were received with gratitude by CP Tenga.
The items are intended to support the daily needs of inmates and detainees at the facility. CP Tenga commended the gesture, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in prisoner rehabilitation.
He described the visit and contributions as a model example of how society can positively engage with correctional institutions to support inmates in their journey towards reformation.
Hon. Mavunde expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Dodoma Legends group, acknowledging their commitment to fostering positive relationships with the prison authorities.
He praised their initiative to provide assistance to inmates and highlighted their remarkable work in renovating the women’s prison kitchen.
This project, he said, demonstrates their dedication to improving the living conditions of women inmates and restoring dignity to those in custody. He urged the group to continue such initiatives, emphasizing their long-term impact on the lives of inmates.
Beyond donations and renovations, Mavunde took the opportunity to inspect the prison’s progress in adopting clean energy solutions for cooking.
The government had recently issued a directive to transition to the use of clean and sustainable energy in correctional facilities, as part of broader efforts to promote environmental conservation and improve health standards.
Mavunde commended the Tanzania Prisons Service for swiftly implementing this directive. He particularly acknowledged their commitment to aligning with President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of a sustainable and environmentally conscious Tanzania.
The visit concluded with a call for continued collaboration between the community and the Tanzania Prisons Service. Mavunde reiterated the importance of partnerships like these in creating a positive impact on the lives of inmates.
He urged other organizations and individuals to follow the example set by Dodoma Legends, emphasizing that such efforts not only benefit inmates but also foster a more inclusive and supportive society.
This visit underscored the potential of community engagement in addressing challenges within correctional facilities and highlighted the power of collective action in driving meaningful change.