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Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ally Gugu, has urged legal and correctional officers within the country’s prison system to carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism and full compliance with the law.
Speaking in Morogoro during the closing of a training session aimed at building the capacity of legal and correctional officers, Gugu emphasized the crucial role they play in safeguarding the rights of prisoners and ensuring effective rehabilitation.
"You are the custodians of the law and the key drivers in reforming inmates. Your responsibility is to ensure prisoners’ rights are protected and respected while guiding them towards lawful and productive lives upon their release," Gugu said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining discipline in prisons by adhering strictly to established rules and procedures, supporting rehabilitation programs, and offering prisoners educational and vocational training that can help them reintegrate into society.
Gugu also called for broader public education initiatives to help Tanzanians understand the role of the Prisons Service, especially in supporting rehabilitation and showcasing success stories of reformed prisoners.
The training aligns with government efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s criminal justice system and implement recommendations made by the national Criminal Justice Commission.
Jane Lyimo, Director of Constitutional Affairs and Legal Monitoring at the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, said the government had purchased 30 new sets of court equipment to support prison operations.
She also revealed that authorities are assessing prison overcrowding across the country, with facilities in Dodoma, Kigoma, Ruvuma and Mara already reviewed, and the process ongoing across Tanzania’s 129 prison facilities.
Lyimo noted that the effectiveness of the Prisons Service depends heavily on the quality of legal and correctional services provided by the officers.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Legal and Prisons Operations, CP Nicodemus Tenga, pledged continued cooperation between the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, promising full implementation of all issued directives.
Tanzania’s prison system, like many others across Africa, faces significant challenges, including overcrowding, limited resources, and the need for comprehensive rehabilitation programs that prepare inmates for life beyond prison walls.