Communities urged to assist in rehabilitating offenders

The rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders is a shared responsibility, one that requires the active involvement of communities, stakeholders, and partners to transform correctional facilities into places of dignity, learning, and renewal.

This was said by Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela at the community advisory committee meeting at Lucius Sumbwanyambe Mahoto Correctional Service Training College at Omaruru in the Erongo region last week.

The meeting provided members of the advisory committee, representing the 14 correctional facilities across Namibia, a platform to engage the NCS leadership directly. Each facility has a committee of about seven members.

“This forum is not simply about dialogue, it is about meaningful participation, where diverse voices converge to shape the strategic direction of our department,” Hamunyela said, adding that this was in line with the NCS mandate “to provide safe, secure and humane custody of offenders, rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society”.

He said as volunteers representing a cross-section of society, the committee carries three primary responsibilities:

“First, they provide the NCS with valuable advice on the operation of correctional facilities and their impact on communities. Members fulfil this role by regularly visiting facilities, engaging with managers, officers, and inmates.

“Second, as impartial observers they monitor the day-to-day operations of correctional facilities, helping us evaluate the provision of healthcare services to inmates, supervision, and rehabilitation programmes,” he said, adding that the committee is a vital link between communities and the NCS, educating the public about their mandate, vision, and mission.

“Furthermore, members of the advisory committee, are expected to actively participate in inspections of correctional facilities, observe internal disciplinary hearings, engage with community groups, connect potential employers with offenders, and speak at public events to strengthen understanding and support for our mission,” Hamunyela said.

He highlighted some successes recorded by the committee since its establishment in 2019, helping restore dignity, foster hope, and strengthen trust in the correctional system.

He said the committee had solicited funds to buy Christmas hampers for women inmates at Oluno Correctional Facility, and juveniles awaiting trial. It also paid fines on behalf of 11 inmates, enabling their reintegration into society.

“The committee successfully installed a boom gate at Walvis Bay Correctional Facility, significantly enhancing overall facility security. They hosted a community outreach programme at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund on 18 October 2025, addressing the issue of gender-based violence,” he said.

At Hardap Correctional Facility, the committee facilitated the transportation of agricultural produce for sale to the community at Mariental, while at Windhoek Female Correctional Facility, it organised cake baking and decoration training for inmates, running from April to July 2023.

He said ​at Lüderitz Correctional Facility, the committee introduced the Alpha Course for Inmates, designed to bring the Christian Gospel into correctional facilities while at Omaruru Correctional Facility, a member of the committee has for the past five years consistently provided Christmas meals to both inmates and officers on duty during the festive season. Windhoek advisory committee chairperson Dawid Gawaseb said the engagement brought awareness on each stakeholders’ roles.

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