Colonial-era prisons strain under modern pressures

Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu says Africa is grappling with old and dilapidated prison facilities, rendering them unsafe and inhumane to accommodate inmates.Iipumbu’s statement was delivered on her behalf by works minister Veikko Nekundi during the 5th Workshop on Prison Infrastructure in Africa on Monday.According to Iipumbu, the situation is further worsened by a rapidly growing inmate population observed globally, leading to severe overcrowding that hampers rehabilitation efforts and compromises the safety and well-being of inmates. Serious challenges“It is no secret that the majority of prisons and correctional facilities in Africa were constructed to serve the needs of colonial ideology, which was custody-oriented and not suitable for rehabilitation. "As a result, prisons and correctional services in Africa are confronted with serious challenges, making it difficult to adopt and effectively implement modern correctional philosophies,” she said.Iipumbu stressed that these facilities require substantial infrastructural reforms to overcome inherited limitations and align with contemporary rehabilitation and reintegration standards. “Addressing these infrastructural challenges is especially complex within the broader context of competing priorities, such as healthcare and education, alongside constrained budgetary resources. Despite these obstacles, the shift from a punitive to a rehabilitative approach remains essential. This transition is complex but vital to ensure that prisons fulfil their intended purpose of promoting humane custodial treatment and positive change in the lives of inmates,” she said.Overcrowded facilitiesMeanwhile, the head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jules Amoti, said many prison facilities around the world are outdated—some dating back over a century—and no longer meet today’s standards. “Prison overcrowding in Africa remains a reality, with an average occupancy rate of 170%. In such circumstances, normalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration are virtually impossible. "New facilities have been built in many countries, yet without consistent standards or alignment with national correctional philosophies, these new constructions often fall short of their intended goals,” he said.“These conditions are further worsened in contexts affected by armed conflict or violence, where national systems are already overstretched. "Additionally, the pressures on these outdated infrastructures are worsened by high population growth and slow judicial processes, which place extraordinary pressure on already limited resources. This is not just a logistical challenge, but a humanitarian one,” Amoti added. nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Colonial-era prisons strain under modern pressures

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-31

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Colonial-era prisons strain under modern pressures

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-31

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