By Ivan Ngoboka

Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) was created under Law N° 34/2010 of 12/11/2010 after merging the former National Prisons Service (NPS) and the Executive Secretariat of National Committee of Community Services as analternative penalty to imprisonment (TIG).

RCS has transformed itself into an institution that rehabilitates convicts to become responsible citizens when they eventually serve their time rather than a punishment oriented body. The institution has increasingly become income generating through its production unit other than depending on government funding.

Since its inception in July 2011, RCS has been working towards ensuring moral rehabilitation of inmates.

The institution has designed proper correctional regimes, regarding the promotion of justice that align with international standards, proper coordination with other justice sector institutions, preparing inmates for effective reintegration back in society. The RCS motto is; "Justice, Corrections, Knowledge and Production,” keenly emphasizing the main releasing to communities better citizens than they left.