The Commissioner General of National Prisons Services (NPS), Mary Gahonzire, has said that the institution will cater for at least 30 percent of its annual budget by the end of next year.

During a news conference, yesterday, Gahonzire said that the income from the economic activities carried out by the prisoners is on the increase.

"From January this year, NPS registered a turnover of Rwf136.6 million from various activities that the prisoners carried out,” Gahonzire said.

She said that the total value of the activities and services which NPS offered to various government institutions, this year, is worth around Rwf611, 7 million.

Gahonzire pointed out that by using modern farming techniques and fertilizers, their agriculture production will go up further, consequently reducing what it receives from the government.

The Prison’s boss added that they will use hybrid maize and beans seeds, which produce higher yields within a short period of time.

NPS also has trained more wardens to help with the plans to increase production.

"In having more wardens, we will be able to send more prisoners in the field because they need supervision when they are working and this will automatically translate into increased output,” Gahonzire said.
 
She added that her organisation would continue to protect the environment through the use of biogas instead of firewood, as a source of energy.

All inmates in the 14 prison facilities across the country receive free medical treatment through Mituelle de Sante.

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