Berea, May 03—African Women Agenda (AWA) has reassured the inmates of Teyateyaneng Correctional Institute that there is still life after completing their jail term, provided they effectively adhere to all the rehabilitation processes.
AWA founding member, Princess Senate Masupha made the remarks on Saturday while giving a message of hope to the inmates at Teyateyaneng Correctional Institute.
Princess Senate who is also human rights activist said regardless of what ended their lives to rehabilitation facilities, family members and their respective communities are expecting their return as the transformed people or the change makers.
She said despite of how gender and culture has shaped their growth, showing a respect to women and girls is not just to make them a favor, but rightfully it is part of life, humanity and Godly love that can be shown to everyone regardless of age or life status.
Princess Senate reiterated that in life we all need each other to build an ideal society; where everyone feel accepted, citing that May is ear marked as an African’s month and it also has Mother’s Day, therefore they saw a need to commemorate such days with them as they are still part of the society.
“Commemorating such important days need people to develop a deep introspection, cultivate the culture of one love, and promotion of crime free environment”, she pleaded.
She further called for unity on fight against domestic violence and abuse in all its forms, moreover she encouraged every individual to promote gender equality and strive for a community where people can live in peace and harmony.
Representing Mamathe Police Post, under the Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) Mr. Tebe-tebe Ramots’o said despite honoring an invitation, having visited the correctional facilities gives them an opportunity to make a follow up on law offenders, to check on whether they are comprehending to the rehabilitation processes.
Mr. Ramots’o noted with a concern that on weekly basis, they bring people convicted on different cases, but abuse of women and children topping the statistics.
Furthermore, he said what really worries them are the inmates who complete their jail term and after sometime got re-arrested for the same offences.
“Having offenders who returns to the correctional facilities sparks a public outcry on whether the rehabilitation processes or the CGPU counselling services have been effective enough or what”, he said.
He pointed out as law enforcement offices who make arrests and rehabilitate, they need to regularly meet in order to review their work or see what strategies can be engaged on the re-integration of an inmates back to the society.
Officer in command of Teyateyaneng Correctional Institute, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Motlatsi Ramashamole said a lot has to be done in changing the mindset of people, particularly men as they have a record high of male inmates convicted of abuse for women and girls.
SSP Ramaahamole emphasized a need for an increased education among the inmates in order to relief them from high number of the returning inmates, highlighting that collaborative efforts are needed to rehabilitate inmates.
SSP Ramashamole stressed that when they regularly welcome visitors, that gesture on its own forms part of rehabilitation process.
One of the ex-convict, Mr. Motlalepula Moshoeshoe said despite of being the inmates, they are still human beings, hence they saw a need to visit them with the words of hope.
Mr. Moshoeshoe urged them to fully cooperate with all the rehabilitation processes, do away with the negative mindset and remove the spirit of revenge, adding that after completing their jail, they will reunite with their beloved families.
During the same occasion, AWA shared lunch to 205 inmates compromised of 196 males and nine males, it also presented gifts which among others compromised of bathing soap, sanitary towels for women, some clothing, diapers for babies, rosaries and a ball.
Meanwhile, both the males and females inmates acknowledged the visitation and the gifts being presented to them, highlighting that they are going to speed up their rehabilitation processes.
They further accepted that times have changed and there is a need to live in peace and harmony.
African Women Agenda was founded in 2014 as the organization focused on raising awareness on the human rights of women and girls and it also focuses on marginalized groups like people with disability and others.
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