Government plans to build schools in prisons

By Nicholas Kajoba

Government plans to build schools in all prisons countrywide in order to help inmates further their studies, the commissioner general of Prisons, Dr. Johson Byabashaija says.

Byabashaija, in a message delivered on his behalf by Prisons director of correctional services, Tommy Ochen, said they also intend to expand and furnish existing educational infrastructure.

He said this at the third graduation ceremony for 33 inmates at Luzira Upper Prison on Thursday.

The 33 prisoners graduated with certificate in Entrepreneurship and small business management attainable at Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

The Prisons authority has extended the programme of enrolling inmates into formal education and inmates in Luzira Prison (women), Masindi, Jinja and Gulu are benefiting already.

Construction of classrooms and other teaching infrastructure for inmates has started in Gulu and Masindi Prisons.

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MUBS principal, Prof. Waswa Balunywa (centre) hailed the graduates for their academic success. PHOTO/Nicholas Kajoba

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There was plenty of entertainment during the graduation ceremony. PHOTO/Nicholas Kajoba

Plans are underway to upgrade the current formal education in prison to levels as high as the tertiary level.  Better still, those behind bars will also attend functional adult literacy programmes.

“I advise the graduates especially those who still have their sentences ongoing to enroll for online courses and attain diploma in the same field,” said Byabashaija in his message.

Educating inmates remains a huge challenge due to limited funding and staffing across the country.

MUBS principal, Prof. Waswa Balunywa, hailed the graduates for their academic success and pushed them to aim for bigger aspirations.

 “The partnership we have with Prisons authorities enables inmates to attain better qualifications especially in business management as they serve their sentences,” he said.

 “Do not relax and think that you have now completed your studies. You need to enroll for more courses and even upgrade so that when your leave prison you would have all the qualifications to help you seek better employment,” he told them.

He promised to offer employment to the best student inmates once their sentences are served and also promised to equip the inmate study center with necessary computers.

The don also advised the inmates to become better people as they look to returning to their communities once released.