Celebrating freedom of prisoners
THE more than 2,000 prisoners pardoned under the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy as part of the Africa Freedom Day commemoration, have obvious reasons to celebrate.
They are happy because they are going to re-unite with their families and friends with whom they had separated due to incarceration for long periods.
It will be great relief for them in that they will no longer be confined to the prison walls as they have now regained their freedom.
They are again entering society and are expected to live among communities which they could have at some time wronged, except this time around their families and friends will be looking forward to seeing how much their loved ones have reformed.
As noted by the now ex-convicts, their release from jail comes with a new feat in that it is the first time that such a huge number of inmates have been pardoned at once. In the previous years, only a handful, of not more than a thousand, would be pardoned on days such as Africa Freedom Day.
While we are singing these praises for President Sata for releasing so many inmates at a go, it is also incumbent upon all stakeholders in the dispensation of justice to be mindful of the sentences they mete out on those convicted.
For instance, it would be appropriate to ensure that offenders for misdemeanors are not given custodial sentences.
This would assist in minimising congestion in prisons which for a long time has been a major problem confronting our correctional facilities.
This group of convicts can be sentenced to carry out community work at places such as clinics, hospitals, bus stations, and various other public places. This is done in many other countries.
This system also helps, in that those found guilty of “smaller” offences will not mix with hardcore criminals when made to serve custodial sentences. They end up being dehumanised and eventually turning hardcore criminals as well.
As the prisoners themselves said, the gesture to be pardoned in such a huge number signifies how committed Government is to the promotion of human rights.
It is now up to those released to also respect other people’s human rights by staying away from their old ways or resorting to any other habits that go against the laws of the land.
The President has played his part and it is for those released to also meet him midway. It is gratifying to hear the pardoned swear that they will not disappoint Mr Sata. We just hope they will stick to their word.
Society should also embrace the ex-convicts so that they can easily fit in and contribute to national development and prosperity.
We would also like to urge the authorities to heed the plea from the ex- prisoners that there was need for trained officers and appropriate equipment for use in skills training while in prison. The acquired skills are beneficial to the nation when one is released.
This can be best achieved if there is enough funding to the prisons department.
Source: http://www.times.co.zm
They are happy because they are going to re-unite with their families and friends with whom they had separated due to incarceration for long periods.
It will be great relief for them in that they will no longer be confined to the prison walls as they have now regained their freedom.
They are again entering society and are expected to live among communities which they could have at some time wronged, except this time around their families and friends will be looking forward to seeing how much their loved ones have reformed.
As noted by the now ex-convicts, their release from jail comes with a new feat in that it is the first time that such a huge number of inmates have been pardoned at once. In the previous years, only a handful, of not more than a thousand, would be pardoned on days such as Africa Freedom Day.
While we are singing these praises for President Sata for releasing so many inmates at a go, it is also incumbent upon all stakeholders in the dispensation of justice to be mindful of the sentences they mete out on those convicted.
For instance, it would be appropriate to ensure that offenders for misdemeanors are not given custodial sentences.
This would assist in minimising congestion in prisons which for a long time has been a major problem confronting our correctional facilities.
This group of convicts can be sentenced to carry out community work at places such as clinics, hospitals, bus stations, and various other public places. This is done in many other countries.
This system also helps, in that those found guilty of “smaller” offences will not mix with hardcore criminals when made to serve custodial sentences. They end up being dehumanised and eventually turning hardcore criminals as well.
As the prisoners themselves said, the gesture to be pardoned in such a huge number signifies how committed Government is to the promotion of human rights.
It is now up to those released to also respect other people’s human rights by staying away from their old ways or resorting to any other habits that go against the laws of the land.
The President has played his part and it is for those released to also meet him midway. It is gratifying to hear the pardoned swear that they will not disappoint Mr Sata. We just hope they will stick to their word.
Society should also embrace the ex-convicts so that they can easily fit in and contribute to national development and prosperity.
We would also like to urge the authorities to heed the plea from the ex- prisoners that there was need for trained officers and appropriate equipment for use in skills training while in prison. The acquired skills are beneficial to the nation when one is released.
This can be best achieved if there is enough funding to the prisons department.
Source: http://www.times.co.zm
