NGOMA- 72 prisoners at Kibungo Prison, convicted for various crimes were yesterday released on parole following a recent cabinet directive granting early discharge of 1,667 prisoners. Several of the inmates’ relatives and friends who attended the event shed tears of joy as they hugged and embraced their family members.
NGOMA- 72 prisoners at Kibungo Prison, convicted for various crimes were yesterday released on parole following a recent cabinet directive granting early discharge of 1,667 prisoners.
Several of the inmates’ relatives and friends who attended the event shed tears of joy as they hugged and embraced their family members.
"Today is a day of joy! My brother has been released from prison after 5 years. Words can’t describe the immense waves of joy that are washing over our family,” said Julienne Mutoniwabo, a relative to one of those released.
According to Ivan Habimana, the Director of Kibungo Prison, most of those released had demonstrated good behaviour.
He added that those freed were common law prisoners, adding that most of them had served between four and five years.
Habimana noted that the release was an ordinary practice, since Rwandan prisons are correctional centres, where convicts are expected to rehabilitate and later re-integrate into society.
"We are convinced that convicts leave this place changed for the better...so, we never expected them to stay here for life. We work for the common good of the community by isolating criminals for sometime as we correct them,” he stated.
Kibungo Prison has more than 2,000 inmates.