Prisons face overcrowding as gov’t pushes for reform, independence

Friday, March 27, 2026 | 200 Views |

Currently, 366 inmates are enrolled in vocational training programmes

The Botswana Prison Service (BPS) is grappling with overcrowding, with the inmate population exceeding the system’s official capacity, a situation that authorities say is straining resources and undermining rehabilitation efforts.

Presenting a speech to the Committee of Supply on Wednesday, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana revealed that as of March 18, 2026, the country’s prisons were holding 4,457 inmates against a designed capacity of 4,337.

This represents a 2.8 percent overflow, highlighting persistent congestion across facilities.

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