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Do not scare prisoners who aspire for education
2007-11-20 09:39:23
By Godfrey Mushi, PST, Tanga
Prison warders reportedly intimidating inmates intending to pursue further studies have been warned against violation of human rights.
The Prisons Assistant Commissioner, Hamisi Mbwana sounded the note of caution in Tanga over the weekend during a farewell party organized in honour of former Tanga Regional Prisons Officer, Cleophace Rweye who has been transferred to the Prisons headquarters. He is to be replaced by Metta Manyalla.
Mbwana said Tanzania is governed by the rule of law and has ratified international human rights law adding that police officers were therefore obliged to serve the national interests.
``Do not scare prisoners aspiring for learning opportunities while serving their sentences because inmates who excel in self-education initiative pose a challenge to those free individuals but unwilling to undergo further studies.
They should be given every possible support to acquire knowledge even if serving life sentences.
They can share with the community the skills gained in the learning process,`` he stressed.
He also challenged fellow officers to struggle for education in order to cope with the changing world of science and technology.
``Those thinking that the Ordinary Level secondary school education is enough and sit back and relax should wake up lest they are overtaken by modern changes,`` he warned.
Earlier, the Tanga Acting Regional Commissioner, Dr Ibrahim Msengi warned prison officers against extortion of bribes from people who visited their jailed relatives.
Msengi said the authorities were working on the allegations so far made against some prison warders who make civilians give some money before being allowed to see their relatives.
``This is serious and such behaviour will not be tolerated,`` he insisted.
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