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Malumo hails President Sata for freeing 975 prisoners
LUSAKA, October 25th , 2014, ZANIS — – Prisoner Reintegration and Empowerment Organization (PREO) Director General Derrick Malumo says the President Micheal Sata’s gesture to release and pardon 975 prisoners across the country is a welcome move.
Mr. Malumo says the President Sata’s gesture has brought not only joy and relief to the relatives of the ex-prisoners but to the remaining prisoners.
He says the move by the Republican President has helped so much with Zambia Prison Service (ZPS) need to decongest prisons in the country.
ZANIS reports that the PREO Director General Mr Malumo said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He however advised general members of the public not to shun and stigmatise the ex-convicts but embrace them and re-integrate them into society.
“Members of the public should re-integrate with the ex-convicts as they have been trained by the Zambia Prisons Service which has trained the inmates with various life skills such as tailoring, plumbing, knitting and agriculture while in prison, “he said.
He advised warned members of the general public to accept the ex-convicts back into society by giving them shelter, clothes, food and money for starting a business.
“High levels of stigma and discrimination against ex-prisoners from members of the society make it difficult for ex-prisoners to start a new life especially females who are more vulnerable.
“Let’s try by all means to re-integrate them back in society,” Mr. Malumo said.
He however, has advised the released prisoners to be humble and conduct themselves responsively as a way of appreciating the presidential pardon.
President Michael Sata yesterday exercised powers vested in him in Article 59 of the Zambian Constitution and pardoned 975 prisoners as part of 50 years celebration of independence from Britain obtained October, 24, 1964.
This is the second largest number of prisoners released on presidential amnesty in Zambia after 2, 318 were released in 2012.
Minister of Home Affairs Ngosa Simbyakula said recently said that government is concerned about the prevailing ‘pathetic inhumane’ conditions in prisons but quickly pointed out that prisons are correctional institutions.
