NYAGATARE – Members of the Senatorial Committee on Security and Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, toured the Nyagatare Juvenile Prison to assess the inmates living conditions.

The correctional facility holds over 130 juvenile inmates with over 90 percent facing charges connected to sex crimes.

Speaking to reporters, the committee’s head, Senator Jean Damascene Bizimana said that they met the inmates, prison wardens and management to discuss issues facing them.

"We have heard a number of problems they face and we intend to be their advocates in looking for solutions,” Bizimana said.

Among other issues, inmates expressed concern over delays in trying their cases.

Senator Bizimana assured them that they would seek audience with concerned officials to address such concerns, including requesting the Ministry of Justice to grant them lawyers.

The Senators also visited Nyagatare transit centre and later inspected farming projects worth Rwf180 million overseen by convicts serving their sentences under the Works for General Interest (TIG) at Gabiro Military Barracks.

Beatrice Uwamhoro, the head of Nyagatare Juvenile Prison disclosed that they had embarked on training inmates on cultural values to facilitate their integration upon the completion of their sentences.
dan.ngabonziza@newtimes.co.rw