The Iwawa Rehabilitation Center is implementing a new initiative where trainees will be required to sign agreements committing to refrain from engaging in delinquent behaviors in the future. Announced on June 17 by Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) Secretary General Jeannot Ruhunga during his visit to over 5000 youths undergoing rehabilitation at the Iwawa Centre, this initiative aims to reduce recidivism rates among former delinquents involved in activities such as drug use, vagrancy, and theft. Ruhunga emphasized to the trainees that their presence at the center is a unique opportunity, as their past actions constituted crimes punishable by law. He warned that severe consequences await those who revert to their previous behavior. ALSO READ: Ex-drug addicts, sex workers' hopes for better life after rehabilitation According to the National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), 22 percent of Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre graduates relapse into their previous wrongdoing due to a lack of close monitoring and assistance during their reintegration into society. In an interview with The New Times, RIB Spokesperson Thierry Murangira emphasized that signing the agreement with authorities signifies a commitment to abstain from future drug abuse, pickpocketing, bag snatching, shoplifting, and other criminal activities. Murangira further said that the signed commitment letter will serve as a reminder of the trainees' purpose for attending the rehabilitation center. Recidivists who sign this commitment letter will not be granted a second chance at the rehabilitation center but will instead undergo an investigation process, he warned. He added, The commitment letter may be considered as aggravating circumstances because they have squandered the opportunity for correction given to them. ALSO READ: Former drug addicts find niche in tailoring Notably, individuals who have been given the chance to undergo rehabilitation at Iwawa will not have criminal records that reflect their stay at the facility. Establishing a rehabilitation center is part of the country's locally developed strategies to address juvenile delinquency. The 24th class of trainees at the Iwawa Rehabilitation Center comprises 5190 former delinquents who are currently undergoing the rehabilitation process. At the center, trainees undergo psychological rehabilitation, receive psychosocial training, and acquire vocational skills in fields such as masonry, carpentry, construction activities, agriculture activities, tailoring, as well as learn traffic rules. Some trainees are also granted provisional driving licenses.
