Editor,

I read in The New Times this week that inmates at Ruhengeri Central Prison had appealed to the government to consider allowing the youth- who constitute the majority of prisoners to participate in community work.

By taking part in community work, human resources are put to good use. Prisoners can help build roads, plant trees and terraces, construct housing for the needy and orphans among other things.

This will not only help in their correctional process, but will also help with the development of the country.

A good example is the Works for General Interest programme (TIG). Since its inception, it has carried out activities worth billions of francs. It has also contributed to the reconciliation efforts.

A lot of tax payers money is spent on maintaining prisoners, a service for public good is definitely worth it.

Augustin Nyiridandi
Nyarutarama