The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) has provided post-release skills development to nearly 14,000 inmates since 2017, aiming to reduce reoffending and promote reintegration.
The initiative forms part of broader reforms to shift from punitive incarceration to rehabilitation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in remarks delivered on her behalf by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare at the 31st Basic Training Course Graduation Ceremony at Omaruru.
“To achieve this, the Namibian Correctional Service has implemented targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation programmes addressing root causes of criminal behaviour such as maladaptive thinking, substance abuse, and educational deficits,” the President said.
A total of 13,898 inmates have participated in these programmes between 2017 and April 2025, with skill development at the centre of the rehabilitation effort.
“Skill development has also been prioritised to empower inmates with employable capabilities post-release, creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and reintegration,” she said.
A cornerstone of this effort is agricultural training, which serves both rehabilitation and national development goals.
“By empowering inmates with agricultural skills, the Namibian Correctional Service not only reduces the likelihood of reoffending, but also contributes significantly to national food security and institutional self-sufficiency,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The Correctional Service cultivates wheat and maize and maintains pork production to support its facilities and other institutions.
“These food products support not only inmates within our correctional facilities, but are also supplied to the Namibian Police Force, an example of how rehabilitative initiatives can simultaneously meet broader institutional needs,” she said.
These interventions align with national and global policy targets, including Namibia’s National Development Plan 5 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“They reflect a transformative approach by the Namibian Correctional Service to address current needs while fostering long-term positive change,” she said.
While celebrating the progress made, the President noted several operational challenges facing the service.
“I am aware of the significant challenges the Namibian Correctional Service continues to face, including shortages in security equipment, uniforms, and personnel needed to ensure security at our correctional facilities, 24/7,” she said.
She highlighted the lack of accommodation and transport for officers, especially those living in informal settlements, as a critical concern.
Meanwhile, the training programme graduated 278 out of 280 recruits, a marked improvement over previous intakes.
“This represents a significant improvement from the previous intake in 2023, where 14 trainees did not complete the programme,” she said.
He emphasised that correctional officers have a legal and moral duty to treat inmates with dignity while promoting lawful behaviour.
“Treat all inmates with humanity and dignity, in accordance with international protocols and standards and to foster their reform and enable them to become productive and law-abiding citizens,” she said.
