Activists are calling for the implementation of non-custodial alternative sentences to alleviate prison overcrowding. According to prison services, the congestion rate currently stands at a staggering 369.3%, a figure they assert cannot be addressed solely through infrastructural development.
A group of activists convened by Penal Reform International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an effective criminal justice system explored alternative punishments for petty offenders as opposed to lengthy custodial sentences. These alternatives include community service programs, court fines, cautions, and reparations or restitution to victims.
However, the implementation of alternative punishments faces challenges in the High Court, as they are currently limited to minor offenses such as trespass, assault, child neglect, and simple theft. According to High Court Judge, Henrietta Woloya, grave crimes like murder, robbery, and rape remain ineligible for these non-custodial sentences.
The meeting brought together other key justice stakeholders, including the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Community Service Directorate of the Ministry of Gender.
