Inmates in Tanzania correctional facilities will soon begin to earn wages for manual labour done, such as farming and construction, authorities have disclosed.
The Tanzania authorities said plans are in the pipeline to ensure that correctional facilities in the country commence payment of inmates for all kinds of labour done while in prison.
Commissioner General of Tanzania’s Prisons Service, General Suleiman Mzee, said it is hoped that the wages will help in boosting the financial status of inmates after they must have been done serving their sentence.
“We have already seen the fruits of their labour. Now, every prison in Tanzania is creating job opportunities for prisoners so that they can earn wages and have a starting point once they are out of prison,” he said.
General Mzee noted that inmates often revert to crimes once released from the correctional facilities, due to the fact that survival becomes even more difficult for them, as the environment remains unchanged with nothing different to offer.
The head of prisons urged society to show less hostility and judgement towards convicts, but instead, show them kindness and understanding to help them become better persons within their communities and beyond.