01 Aug 2024

Protection of the society remains high in the mandate of the Botswana Prison Service, says  the Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi.

Welcoming Governor General of The Bahamas, Dame Cynthia Alexandria Pratt at the Village prisons facilities in Gaborone on Wednesday, Mr Mmusi said the  department was committed to building a high performance culture to realise the noble vision of becoming a model institution of correctional service. 

“This has involved repositioning, realigning and re-engineering the prison service to achieve its mandate,” he said.

He, therefore, said Botswana and The Bahamas have much to gain from each other in terms of collaboration and exchange in areas of defence and security. 

The Gaborone Village Prison Complex houses the Central Prison, Women Prison, Boys Prison and First Offenders Prison. 

In that regard, Minister Mmusi said the mandate of the department was a mammoth and dignified task, given their responsibility to provide safe custodial care for offenders as well as rehabilitating and reintegrating them into the society. 

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and Security, Ms Pearl Ramokoka, said the visit by the Governor General  was a milestone in advancing collaboration efforts between the two nations. 

She appreciated Ms Pratt’s engagement with the inmates, by motivating and giving them hope. 

The Governor General also appreciated new and innovative perspectives for prisoner care and rehabilitation. 

As such, Ms Ramokoka said the prison services would definitely benefit from what Ms Pratt shared with them. ends