Four prisons to be closed

The Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) announced yesterday that it will close four prisons countrywide. This was announced by the Commissioner General of RCS, Paul Rwarakabije, during a press conference which took place at his office in Remera. The prisons to be affected are Kibungo, Gikongoro, Ruhengeri and Remera. “The main objective of closing the prisons is to enable the management of RCS t take care of inmates in conformity with international prisons standards” Rwarakabije said. He noted that reducing the prisons is also aimed at reducing the budget they spend on the prisons. There are 13 prisons countrywide and one children’s’ rehabilitation centre in Nyagatare District with over 59,000 prisoners, 39,000 of whom are serving Genocide related sentences. The 9 prisons which will remain in operation are Mageragere prison, which will merge prisoners from Remera prison and the Kigali Central Prison, Nyakiriba, Nsinda Butare, Gitarama, Miyove, Nyamasheke, Mpanga prison and the Nyagatare rehabilitation centre. He said the nine prisons were chosen because they have enough land for expansion and are very productive compared to those which will close. Rwarakabije said that budget to expand them will be provided by the government, adding that RCS will also participate in the program by providing manpower needed during construction. “We want to make sure that in at least five years from now, RCS will contribute 30 percent of the total budget it receives from the central government. This will be achieved through increasing our production”, he said. steven.mugisha@newtimes.co.rw

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Four prisons to be closed