Prisons boss warns on job bribes

By Steven Candia                            
 

Prisons Chief Dr. Johnson Byabashaija has warned the public to desist from bribing their way into the institution ahead of next week's recruitment drive, saying they stand to lose their money to unscrupulous people.

The Prisons service, he said, has a known and professional manner of recruiting and can not be influenced by inducements.

Addressing the media, Byabashaija said that even before the exercise taking off, he received reports of members of the public, especially those eyeing joining the prisons service, parting with bribes so as to be considered favourably.

“The competition is very stiff and I am already hearing that people are parting with bribes so as to join,” Byabashaija said and sternly warned against the practice, saying it is detrimental to both to the giver and receiver.

“No member of the public should pay. It is free. If you pay you will lose your money and if caught fortunately you will be brought here and we will teach you manners,” he said and cautioned the personnel from the prisons service against falling victim.

“We will as usual carryout the exercise in a very transparent and professional manner and so there is no need for anyone to bribe his or her way into the service,” he said at the media centre.

Effective next week, the Prisons service with a current manpower of 5,800 personnel, a far cry from internationally accepted standards, will embark on a countrywide recruitment drive to shore up its numbers as it seeks to recruit 1000 warders and wardresses plus 50 cadet principal officers and 30 cadet assistant superintendents.

The present manpower levels in the Prisons, Byabashaija said, translates into a ratio of 1: 7.5 warder to five inmates, way belwo the acceptable standard of one warder to three inmates.  

“Even this number we are recruiting will be like adding a drop of salt in the ocean but it will offer us some relief,” he said.