He said many ex-convicts returned to prison due to their inability to cope with the stigma and the failure of society and family members to give them a second chance at life.

“When these ex-convicts are rejected by their own families and society at large, they are likely to find themselves back in some criminal activities which will, in the end, lead them back to prison,” Mr Mwinyelle added.

Situation

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Wa, the regional commander further said that because of their status as ex-convicts, many of them were denied employment opportunities, even by some government establishments.

He said the continued discrimination against ex-convicts by society and family members was a barrier to their social reintegration, adding “the stigmatisation, name-calling and finger-pointing makes it hard for their acceptance and leads to health problems and low self-esteem”.

The commander, therefore, entreated families and the public to demonstrate love and care for ex-convicts and also avoid pointing fingers at and calling them names to facilitate their reintegration and subsequent contribution to nation-building.  

Reformation

Mr Mwinyelle said the service was doing its best to reform prisoners, but added that the public must also play their part, especially in the reintegration of ex-convicts, to complete the reformation process.

“Let us help in their reintegration and stop judging them by their past mistakes,” he said.

The commander said the service had been training inmates in vocational skills such as tailoring, weaving and carpentry.

He, therefore, appealed to the citizenry to patronise the products and services of ex-convicts to enable them to live better lives.

“There is the need for society to support and help make the desired change and aid in the reformation activities to keep the country peaceful and safe,” Mr Mwinyelle said.