Inmates asked to embrace the mindset programme

CRIME REHABILITATION 

Kigo women's prison inmates have been asked to embrace the mind education training course to better there lives hence becoming responsible citizens upon discharge.

 "You may have erred and ended up in jail but never lose hope, make good use of the rehabilitation programmes offered in prison to become good people who are easily acceptable in the communities where you once lived," Jongsoo Yoon, the Education Director International Youth Fellowship said.

International Youth Fellowship staff at Kigo Women's Prison during a Mind Education programme

 
He made the remarks while launching the Mindset education courses at Kauga and Kigo prisons on Wednesday. The six-month programme is expected to benefit over 500 inmates.

"The programme offered is aimed at changing your mindset for life after prison, therefore, acquire full rehabilitation hence reduce the recidivism rates within detention facilities," Jongsoo noted.

Recidivism is going back to the bad behaviour of offending after the first conviction and discharge from prison. Currently, Uganda has the lowest recidivism rate due to its comprehensive prison rehabilitation services.

With a reoffending rate of 23%, Uganda has been ranked the best in Africa and seventh in the world, according to the African Correctional Journal and the International Criminal Journal, respectively. Uganda boasts of having in place one of the best rehabilitation programmes in Africa and ranks fourth globally.

Harriet Nambooze, one of the beneficiaries of this training testifies to have received true change in her heart that she was able to reconcile with those she wronged.

 
"The training has enabled me to forgive and reconcile with the relatives of the person I murdered, something I did not expect to ever happen. I no longer fear to return to the community where I once lived upon discharge," revealed Nambooze who is serving a 20-year jail term over a murder.

"My prison sentence has enabled me to exercise self-control and I have learnt to control my heart and communicate with others," she says.

The Mind-set education initiative for prisons begun in many other countries of the world but in Uganda plans to implement it started in 2016 after the IYF General Secretary met the CGP to discuss the possibility of its implementation in Uganda Prisons.

IYF promised to continue with the programme so as to help inmates attain full rehabilitation and prison wardens to properly understand the inmate's emotions. He says they hope to extend the programme to other prisons countrywide.