He explained that the Service is committed to ensuring safe custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of offenders to promote societal protection and national development. “These funds will be utilised to cover operational expenses for Botswana Prison Service, ensuring the efficient management and rehabilitation of inmates,” Ramaotwana said. “However, the funds will not be sufficient to cater for personal emoluments because our actual budget estimate for personal emolument was cut by P48, 235,177.00,” he added. Presenting the budget proposals for the Administration of Justice (AOJ) for the financial year 2025-2026, the minister said security remains a priority to create a safe environment for both inmates and staff, facilitating effective rehabilitation. He stated that efforts to enhance rehabilitation include improving facilitator training, equipping psycho-social officers, and tailoring programmes to address common offences like substance abuse and domestic violence. “To combat gender-based violence, Prisons launched the Gender-Based Violence Perpetrators Programme in 2021, enrolling 1,211 inmates since April 2024. Reintegration is also a key focus, 522 Community-Based Reintegration Committees established nationwide,” added the minister.
Ramaotwana emphasised that all the efforts made have supported 317 ex-offenders, with 167 securing employment, contributing to reduced recidivism and stronger community participation. Speaking further on the costly rehabilitation of inmates, he said inmates are provided with vocational training and rehabilitation. He added that there has been success in that area because currently a total of 609 inmates are enrolled in vocational training programmes. From this cohort, 41 inmates already trade-tested and certified in bakery and confectionery, fence construction, and bricklaying & plastering and another 174 inmates are awaiting testing at the Madirelo Training and Testing Centre, he said. “Notably, some ex-offenders have successfully reintegrated into society. Examples include a former inmate from Mahalapye who now runs a bakery and another from Selebi-Phikwe who became an ordained pastor and motivational speaker after undergoing character development programmes. These success stories highlight the transformative impact of rehabilitation initiatives,” Ramaotwana told Parliament. On challenges and mitigations, the minister pointed out that the prison service has faced several challenges despite progress in some areas and that security remains a concern, with two escapes recorded in the 2024-2025 financial year, contrary to the zero-escape target. He stressed that overcrowding in high-security prisons continues to strain resources and impact inmate management and additionally, drought in certain areas has affected food production on prison farms, limiting the success of food security efforts. “Limited funding for rehabilitation programmes also hinders the effective implementation of vocational training and behavioural change initiatives, as demand exceeds available resources,” he said.
