Dr Samia orders authorities to establish a strong tracking system for inmates after their jail terms

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed authorities to establish a strong tracking system for former inmates after completing their jail terms with the aim of reducing repeat offences and helping them reintegrate into society.

The Head of State issued the directives during the graduation ceremony for the 48th Advanced Leadership Course for the 2025/26 academic year at the Tanzania Correctional Academy in Dar es Salaam today, May 9 2026, stating that the system should help identify where ex-prisoners are and what activities they are engaged in.

Additionally, she said the ex-prisoners should also be linked with empowerment institutions and the private sector for income-generating opportunities.

According to the President the follow up is vital and would play a key role in helping former inmates rebuild their lives and avoid returning to crime.

“We need a strong system for post-release follow-up and evaluation,” she said.

Additionally, the President also ordered an assessment to establish the number of former prisoners who return to criminal activities after serving their sentences.

According to her, such statistics would help the government measure whether rehabilitation programmes in prisons are achieving the intended goals or whether there are gaps that require improvement.

Dr Samia noted that effective rehabilitation should not end at prison gates, insisting that support systems must continue even after inmates complete their sentences.

She further underscored the importance of involving various stakeholders, including the private sector, in supporting rehabilitation and economic reintegration efforts for former offenders.