Offenders at the Evaristus Shikongo Correctional Facility expressed their gratitude for the skills they have and continue to acquire while serving their sentences at the facility.

Situated about 26 kilometres north of Tsumeb, the Evaristus Shikongo Correctional Facility has 641 offenders, of whom 82 are under maximum security.

It has a field of 5,000 hectares, where offenders interested in crop production keep themselves busy while serving their sentences.

Livestock farming is another agricultural practice at the farm, with hundreds of cattle, goats, and sheep.

The correctional facility also offers welding, carpentry, and auto repair trades, among others.

Deputy Commissioner Nestor Nghifenua is the Officer in Charge of the Evaristus Correctional Facility.

"If any private individual wants us to build a house or extend their existing house, members of the community are welcome to come and provide quotations, and we will complete the job for them."

Deputy Commissioner Nghifinua said the facility is living up to the mandate to provide safe, secure, and humane custody of offenders and rehabilitate and reintegrate them to ensure that they are ready for society upon their release.