Jailhouse sex on the table in NA

THE question of whether to distribute condoms in prisons or install surveillance cameras to prevent sodomy left Members of Parliament groping for a solution on Thursday night while discussing the budget allocation to the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services.

The Ministry of Safety and Security does not hand out condoms to inmates. When the Prisons vote still fell under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the previous Minister, Jerry Ekandjo, used to repeatedly state that it was not necessary, as prisoners did “not have sex”.Elma Dienda of the CoD on Thursday said that it was necessary to distribute condoms in prisons.”We close our eyes to that problem and don’t want to talk about it.People have (sexual) needs and they want them satisfied, it does not encourage prison inmates to become gays or lesbians while in prison, so rather distribute condoms there,” Dienda suggested.As an alternative, she recommended having 24-hour surveillance cameras installed in prison cells to discourage sexual activities.The CoD’s Tsudao Gurirab wanted to know from Deputy Safety and Security Minister Gabes Shihepo whether the Ministry would implement recommendations made by the Office of the Ombudsman last year after he published a devastating report about the conditions in Namibian prisons.In his response, Deputy Minister Shihepo only vaguely said some people felt condoms should be distributed to inmates while others were against it.”Some say if you give them condoms, you promote the practice of sodomy among inmates, which is a crime according to Namibian laws.Other people have the opinion that prevention is better than cure.We must see who is right.”At this point Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore stood up and said surveillance cameras would not prevent inmates from having sex, as they saw examples of it every night on television.”Do we as responsible leaders and Christians campaign enough for ABC – abstinence, being faithful to one partner and lastly to use condoms? Do we advocate abstinence when we teach people about their religious rights?” At this point, DTA Chairman Philemon Moongo noted on a point of order that “sex is a sort of privilege and enjoyment.It is not allowed in prison, also not alcohol and no sweet things are allowed there.”His contribution drew laughter.Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also strongly urged that surveillance cameras should be installed in prison cells.When the Prisons vote still fell under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the previous Minister, Jerry Ekandjo, used to repeatedly state that it was not necessary, as prisoners did “not have sex”.Elma Dienda of the CoD on Thursday said that it was necessary to distribute condoms in prisons.”We close our eyes to that problem and don’t want to talk about it.People have (sexual) needs and they want them satisfied, it does not encourage prison inmates to become gays or lesbians while in prison, so rather distribute condoms there,” Dienda suggested.As an alternative, she recommended having 24-hour surveillance cameras installed in prison cells to discourage sexual activities.The CoD’s Tsudao Gurirab wanted to know from Deputy Safety and Security Minister Gabes Shihepo whether the Ministry would implement recommendations made by the Office of the Ombudsman last year after he published a devastating report about the conditions in Namibian prisons.In his response, Deputy Minister Shihepo only vaguely said some people felt condoms should be distributed to inmates while others were against it.”Some say if you give them condoms, you promote the practice of sodomy among inmates, which is a crime according to Namibian laws.Other people have the opinion that prevention is better than cure.We must see who is right.”At this point Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore stood up and said surveillance cameras would not prevent inmates from having sex, as they saw examples of it every night on television.”Do we as responsible leaders and Christians campaign enough for ABC – abstinence, being faithful to one partner and lastly to use condoms? Do we advocate abstinence when we teach people about their religious rights?” At this point, DTA Chairman Philemon Moongo noted on a point of order that “sex is a sort of privilege and enjoyment.It is not allowed in prison, also not alcohol and no sweet things are allowed there.”His contribution drew laughter.Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also strongly urged that surveillance cameras should be installed in prison cells.