Posted Aug 20, 2009
Newly-appointed Namwala District Commissioner Mr Wilson Sianduka said this during a tour of the Namwala State Prisons on Tuesady that government would endevour to ensure that issues such as proper diets, sanitation among others are taken care of so that prisons become better places for inmates to reform to become better citizens.
He observed during the tour that the Namwala Prisons lacked proper sanitary conditions which he attributed to disconnection of water supply to the institution two weeks ago following non-payments of water bills amounting to K9Million.
He added that government has since settled the bill and expressed hope that the sanitary condition would significantly improve once water supply resumes.
His visit to the prison followed reports of the five inmates who were taken ill with suspected dysentery which health authorities attributed to poor sanitary conditions at the prisons following water closure.
Mr Sianduka also observed that sewerage pipes at the institution need serious attention to prevent out break of diseases.
And addressing prisoners, Mr Sianduka advised the inmates to refrain from homosexuality vices in order for them to protect themselves from HIV /AIDS.
He also advised the more than 132 inmates who gathered to listen to him to utilize the time they were serving in prison to learn survival skill to enable them eke out a living once they are freed.
“You need to utilize your stay here to learn survival skills so that you can be responsible and earn a living by using the skills you would acquire here,” Mr Sianduka s aid.
Meanwhile, Prisons Officer-in-Charge Chief Inspector Mr. Christopher Kalumba told the Commissioner that the institution was facing a shortage of manpower.