Namibia and Zambia have established a joint technical committee to look into the needs of Zambian nationals serving time in Namibian jails.

This team will focus on determining if offenders want to complete the remainder of their sentences in Zambia.

A total of 122 Zambian nationals are incarcerated in Namibia's correctional facilities. 

Many of them wish to serve their sentences at home. Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela, of the Namibia Correctional Service, said it is beneficial for inmates to serve their sentences in their countries of origin.

The Namibia Correctional Services (NCS) Commissioner General, Raphael Hamunyela, held a consultation with the Community Advisory Committee at the Oluno Correctional Facility, where he acknowledged the committee's work. 

The committee bridges gaps, enhances communication, and promotes understanding between the correctional facilities and the broader community. 

It further strengthens relationships, promotes rehabilitation, and advocates for positive change within the correctional system.

The Namibia Correctional Services held a community outreach event at Rehoboth on Saturday.

The event was meant to sensitise the community about escalating drug use and crime in Rehoboth and the importance of community outreach programmes in rehabilitating offenders.

The community outreach programme was aimed at facilitating and instilling behavioural change in offenders from the Hardap Region.

Inmates are thus empowered while paying their debts to society.

The Namibia Correctional Services has commenced the process of recruiting 300 new intakes, while the Namibian Police will recruit an additional 1,000 intakes in 2023.

President Hage Geingob says the recruitment will also significantly relieve the human resource constraints being experienced in the police force.

He says these are just some of the targeted interventions to respond to the challenge of youth unemployment in the country.