The Commissioner General of the Tanzania Prisons Service, CGP Jeremiah Yoram Katungu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening inmate rehabilitation programmes, saying the focus is to ensure offenders return to society as responsible and productive citizens.
CGP Katungu made the remarks on June 10, 2026, in Dodoma when he officially opened a training programme for Social Welfare Officers on the implementation of the Rehabilitation Programme Guidelines at Rugimbana Hall, Msalato.
He said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has continued to provide strong support to the Prisons Service through funding for infrastructure development, staff welfare, transport, and capacity-building programmes.
He noted that rehabilitation of inmates remains a core mandate of the Prisons Service, emphasizing that correctional institutions are not only places of confinement but also centres for reform, education, and skills development.
Katungu explained that the rehabilitation agenda is firmly grounded in national laws, including the Prisons Act, Chapter 58, as well as international standards that promote the reintegration of offenders into society through structured support and training.
He said ongoing justice sector reforms and recommendations from the Criminal Justice System Review Commission, as well as findings from the 2024 Performance Audit by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), have reinforced the need to strengthen rehabilitation systems and improve coordination among stakeholders.
Following these recommendations, the Prisons Service has introduced key reforms, including the development of new training curricula and the expansion of partnerships with institutions such as the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), and the Institute of Adult Education (IAE).
These partnerships aim to equip inmates with practical skills that can support their reintegration after release.
Katungu also highlighted the newly developed Rehabilitation Programme Implementation Guidelines, which outline a structured four-stage rehabilitation process.
The process includes admission and orientation, rehabilitation during incarceration, pre-release preparation, and reintegration into the community.
He said the system is designed to ensure that every inmate undergoes individual assessment to determine specific needs and is enrolled in appropriate rehabilitation programmes.
He added that the Prisons Service has already trained reception officers and prison commanders across the country, with the current phase focusing on professionals in social welfare, psychology, and sociology to strengthen implementation at all levels.
In another development, Katungu said the Service has started implementing directives from the Head of State by conducting a national study on recidivism among former inmates.
The study is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and the Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre (EASTC).
He said the findings will provide evidence to improve rehabilitation strategies and reduce repeat offending in the country.
He further revealed that a special team has been formed to develop a proposal for the establishment of a dedicated fund to support inmates after completing their sentences, enabling them to rebuild their lives and become self-reliant.
The Prisons Service is also working with the e-Government Authority (e-GA) to develop the Prison Information and Prisoners Management Information System (PIPMIS), which is expected to improve data management and service delivery once completed.
Presenting the training overview, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) Edith Mbogo, on behalf of the Head of Prisoners Management Services, said the programme aims to equip Social Welfare Officers with practical knowledge of the 2025 Rehabilitation Guidelines.
She said the training is part of an ongoing capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen professional skills and improve coordination in rehabilitation programmes, ultimately supporting the effective reintegration of former inmates into society.
