A vocational skills programme run by the Tanzania Prisons Service has helped former inmate Mussa Malale secure work as an air-conditioning technician at the Msalato International Airport construction project.
Malale says the skills he acquired while serving his sentence have enabled him to rebuild his life and find a source of income after his release.
While in prison, he underwent various vocational training programmes, including training in air-conditioning installation and maintenance.
He says the practical skills, provided by experienced instructors, proved valuable after he returned to the community.
“I did not have these skills before I went to prison. The training I received gave me something I could use after my release,” Malale said during an interview.
After leaving prison, Malale initially worked as a sand-truck driver. However, his work was interrupted when the vehicle broke down.
He later followed a friend's advice to seek casual work at the Msalato airport project in Dodoma.
His opportunity came after he underwent a practical skills assessment, where he demonstrated his ability to handle air-conditioning work.
He subsequently secured a position working on the installation of AC systems at the airport project.
Malale's experience illustrates how vocational training in correctional facilities can help former inmates develop skills that can be applied in the labour market after their release.
For the Tanzania Prisons Service, rehabilitation is intended to go beyond confinement by preparing inmates for life after prison through education, vocational training and life skills.
Such programmes are aimed at improving former inmates' chances of finding employment or becoming self-employed while supporting their reintegration into society.
Malale's story is also being featured as part of the “Magereza Nuru ya Mabadiliko” campaign, which highlights rehabilitation and reintegration efforts by the Tanzania Prisons Service.
The campaign is being promoted through Jambo Tanzania, a TBC programme aired daily from 6am to 9am.
