By: Loise Shiimi, Annakleta Haikera
Commissioner General of the Namibia correctional services, Rafael Hamunyela, says that inmates visiting schools and universities to speak to students is one way to curb the rise in crime.
He said NCS has recently been conducting a number of outreach programmes using prisoners to speak to youth about the dangers of crime.
He said the reason for these outreaches is because most prisoners were also students, and they know how bad it can get when one is not adhering to protocols.
According to the head of prisons, as most prisoners have been incarcerated for stealing and drug dealing-related crimes, it would be easier for them to speak to students on the matter.
“Some of us, if we start encouraging students to stop drug dealing and so forth, they will question as how do you know if drug dealing isn’t best, we’re you in prison?”
“At least the prisoners will be able to give their experiences and why it is wrong not to obey regulations on the campus/school, steal, misbehave, and be mindful of bad friends, mingling during nighttime, and unnecessary parties. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the same situation,” Hamunyela said.
Prisoners will advise the youth on the dangers of consuming alcohol and drugs, and stealing while encouraging them to listen to their teachers, lecturers, and parents.
“Prisoners have been through the same situation, and they have been told to respect their elders, and to obey school rules, however, they couldn’t listen or pay attention to anyone,” he told The Villager.
“The first step they take is to take those eager to speak to learners at a certain school, those who have accepted their wrongdoings.”
Hamunyela said prisoners will be called to speak to students during university orientations.
“First-year students are from different backgrounds, and some are new and haven’t yet succumbed to the situation of being on their own. Some will be influenced by others to start abusing alcohol and stealing,”
Hamunyela further said prisoners need to be allowed to visit churches, schools and universities to tell the people the exact cause of crime.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Sylvester Haseb, who was convicted of housebreaking and is serving two years at the Elizabeth Nepemba Correctional facility in Kavango West, has pleaded with the youth to stay away from crime.
He spoke at the Youth Program hosted by the Conscious Mind Training Institute and KAYEC Weekly.
He also says that anger, peer pressure, and desire mostly lead to people becoming involved in criminal activities.
“Drugs and alcohol abuse led me to commit such crimes, mostly housebreaking. I used to rob people from their personal property and didn’t realise it was bad because I was always under the influence of drugs.”
“Being in prison is not something I wish upon any young person. I encourage and plead to the youth in Namibia that they should not engage in criminal activities to stop and rather fight against crime. Namibia as a country can set an example to be in the world’s good books and have a safe and secure nation.”
