"Consider non-custodial punishment for minor cases"

Описание: Zambia Correctional Service ZCS Regional Commanding Officer COMMANDER CHILOMBO has appealed to the Courts to consider imposing other forms of punishments for minor cases attracting six months custodial sentence.

He was speaking at Kamfinsa Correctional facility in Kitwe during the launch of an initiative dubbed "Prison Decongestion program aimed at providing free legal services to inmates with minor offences which has been formed by the Law Association of Zambia -L
Z- and the Zambia Correctional Service.

But, Kitwe High Court Judge in charge Justice CHARLES CHANDA challenged LAZ to influence or advocate for legal reforms that support creation of special courts for minor offences.

And, Copperbelt Minister ELISHA MATAMBO said the initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the challenge of congestion in correctional facilities in the province and the country at large.

Meanwhile, Law Association of Zambia Vice President MALTILDAH KAOMA said the initiative is already working for inmates in some Correctional facilities in Lusaka.

And, Prisoners Future Foundation of Zambia Executive Director GEORGE MAYAMBA observed that prison overcrowding is undermining the objective of reformation.

Correctional facilities on the Copperbelt are holding over 6,700 inmates against the initial capacity of 2,269.