Prison service faces 5 200 staff shortage
• Even lower-paid jobs more appealing than prison work
Namibia's correctional service currently employs 3 200 officers, far below the 8 400 it requires, a 61% shortfall that makes an already difficult job even harder.
STAFF REPORTERWINDHOEK
The loss of 12 correctional service officers in a car accident near Mariental last week has compounded the staffing challenges facing Namibian Correctional Services Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela, who is already struggling to fill about 5 200 vacant posts.
Currently, Namibia’s prison service employs about 3 200 officers, well below the full complement of 8 400 needed – a vacancy rate of 61.9%.
In addition to the prison officers, two police officers and two civilians also died in the tragic accident.
Those who died were Simon Sinyemba, David Musambani, Petrus Mbuale, Noa Hameho, Alina Simeon, Adreheld Taapopi, Tomas Shikongo, Johannes Mbeeli, Jason Amadhila, Naemi Shipena, Silvanus Hofeni and Katjitombua Muheueu.
Yesterday, the prison chief told Namibian Sun that Taapopi and Shikongo were in charge of animal husbandry at the prison farm, which produced pork for inmates.
“These were specialised people with responsibilities,” Hamunyela said.
He confirmed that the correctional service currently employs around 3 200 employees, operating at only about 38.1% of 8 400 required.
Buckling under pressure
According to Hamunyela, each officer is supposed to oversee 20 inmates, but the current staffing shortfall has left each responsible for around 60 inmates.
He said the officers find the work challenging.
“The correctional service is one of the most difficult departments to work for,” Hamunyela admitted.
“We are recruiting every time, but the people leave, even to go and work where they are paid less,” he said.
The Divundu Correctional Facility in Kavango East, for example, is experiencing acute staffing challenges.
Out of 703 approved posts, only 183 are currently filled – around 26% – leaving 520 positions vacant.
Filling the gaps
The commissioner noted that although the prison service is expanding with the opening of the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility and plans for the forthcoming Kaoko-Otavi facility, no new instructors have been recruited.
The two facilities, when operational, will have rehabilitation, agriculture and community development on a large 384-hectare site.
“We just sent those within the service,” he explained, on filling the gaps.
Hamunyela also said the prison population currently stands at about 4 600, while bed capacity is 5 400.
Although he acknowledged that the correctional service needs more vehicles, he could not specify how many are in use or are needed.
Despite these challenges, Hamunyela said he believes it is God-given and that one must not shy away from problems.
Dilapidated infrastructure
Safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu admitted three months ago that the country is struggling with old and unsafe prisons.
Iipumbu made this statement during the fifth regional workshop on prison infrastructure in Africa, held in Windhoek.
“We are grappling with old and dilapidated prison facilities, making them unsafe and inhumane to accommodate inmates,” Iipumbu acknowledged.
She said the Correctional Service Act of 2012 provides the legal framework for improving prison infrastructure.
“To support this shift, we have embarked on infrastructure projects at the Windhoek, Hardap, and Evaristus Shikongo correctional centres,” she added.
The workshop brought together prison and justice officials from several English-speaking African countries.
Help at hand
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told mourners at Mariental during a memorial service on Wednesday that government will assist the bereaved family members, survivors and colleagues affected by the tragedy.
Government had dispatched various teams, including investigators and wellness officers, to Mariental to provide counselling and psychosocial support services, she said.
“We also cannot overlook the invisible wounds carried by those left behind,” the president said, encouraging affected families and colleagues to seek counselling services.
“Emotional healing is as important as physical recovery, and it is through compassion, care, and professional guidance that the bereaved and affected colleagues can begin to rebuild their lives after this devastating loss,” she said.
The loss of 12 correctional service officers in a car accident near Mariental last week has compounded the staffing challenges facing Namibian Correctional Services Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela, who is already struggling to fill about 5 200 vacant posts.
Currently, Namibia’s prison service employs about 3 200 officers, well below the full complement of 8 400 needed – a vacancy rate of 61.9%.
In addition to the prison officers, two police officers and two civilians also died in the tragic accident.
Those who died were Simon Sinyemba, David Musambani, Petrus Mbuale, Noa Hameho, Alina Simeon, Adreheld Taapopi, Tomas Shikongo, Johannes Mbeeli, Jason Amadhila, Naemi Shipena, Silvanus Hofeni and Katjitombua Muheueu.
Yesterday, the prison chief told Namibian Sun that Taapopi and Shikongo were in charge of animal husbandry at the prison farm, which produced pork for inmates.
“These were specialised people with responsibilities,” Hamunyela said.
He confirmed that the correctional service currently employs around 3 200 employees, operating at only about 38.1% of 8 400 required.
Buckling under pressure
According to Hamunyela, each officer is supposed to oversee 20 inmates, but the current staffing shortfall has left each responsible for around 60 inmates.
He said the officers find the work challenging.
“The correctional service is one of the most difficult departments to work for,” Hamunyela admitted.
“We are recruiting every time, but the people leave, even to go and work where they are paid less,” he said.
The Divundu Correctional Facility in Kavango East, for example, is experiencing acute staffing challenges.
Out of 703 approved posts, only 183 are currently filled – around 26% – leaving 520 positions vacant.
Filling the gaps
The commissioner noted that although the prison service is expanding with the opening of the Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility and plans for the forthcoming Kaoko-Otavi facility, no new instructors have been recruited.
The two facilities, when operational, will have rehabilitation, agriculture and community development on a large 384-hectare site.
“We just sent those within the service,” he explained, on filling the gaps.
Hamunyela also said the prison population currently stands at about 4 600, while bed capacity is 5 400.
Although he acknowledged that the correctional service needs more vehicles, he could not specify how many are in use or are needed.
Despite these challenges, Hamunyela said he believes it is God-given and that one must not shy away from problems.
Dilapidated infrastructure
Safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu admitted three months ago that the country is struggling with old and unsafe prisons.
Iipumbu made this statement during the fifth regional workshop on prison infrastructure in Africa, held in Windhoek.
“We are grappling with old and dilapidated prison facilities, making them unsafe and inhumane to accommodate inmates,” Iipumbu acknowledged.
She said the Correctional Service Act of 2012 provides the legal framework for improving prison infrastructure.
“To support this shift, we have embarked on infrastructure projects at the Windhoek, Hardap, and Evaristus Shikongo correctional centres,” she added.
The workshop brought together prison and justice officials from several English-speaking African countries.
Help at hand
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told mourners at Mariental during a memorial service on Wednesday that government will assist the bereaved family members, survivors and colleagues affected by the tragedy.
Government had dispatched various teams, including investigators and wellness officers, to Mariental to provide counselling and psychosocial support services, she said.
“We also cannot overlook the invisible wounds carried by those left behind,” the president said, encouraging affected families and colleagues to seek counselling services.
“Emotional healing is as important as physical recovery, and it is through compassion, care, and professional guidance that the bereaved and affected colleagues can begin to rebuild their lives after this devastating loss,” she said.
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