By PASSY HAACHIZO –
HOME Affairs Minister Davies Mwila has commended President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government for recruiting over 1,000 prison officers in a space of five years.
Speaking during the pass out of 396 recruits at Bothwell Imakando correctional staff college last week Mr Mwila noted that the move is also going to increase manpower that will help in the rehabilitation of inmates.
He also saluted president Lungu for a number of improvements such as the assenting to the new Constitution.
Mr Mwila said President Lungu’s administration was also poised to add 3,500 bed spaces to the service through three modern correctional centres under construction in Mwembeshi and Mongu.
“The other thing to note is that the Government has added 400 new bed spaces through the construction of three new correctional facilities between 2011 and 2014,” he said.
Mr Mwila, however, warned recruits of stern action if they misbehaved.
He called on the officers to remain loyal to the Goverment of the day.
Correctional services Commissioner General Percy Chato announced that seven of the recruits were discharged from training due to various reasons among them misconduct and health.
“The initial number of recruits was 403 of which 161 were females and 242 males.  We are grateful that President Lungu also commissioned the construction of two ultra-modern facilities that when completed will accommodate 3,300 inmates in Mwembeshi under private partnership,” he said.
Correctional service assistant commissioner Mwizabi Simasiku said there was no doubt that the graduates would execute their duties diligently.
“The graduates have demonstrated their physical skills and talent in passing through the intensive programmes and they are able to provide care, custody, control and humane treatment of inmates,” he said.