LRCT report highlights causes of congestion in prisons
THE Law Reform Commission of Tanzania (LRCT) has identified several factors that cause overcrowding of inmates in prisons, including weaknesses in implementation of the plea bargaining regulations.
Speaking while handing over a research report on implementation of various laws including that which guides alternative punishment, Chairman of the LRCT, retired Judge January Msoffe said among the challenges identified was poor implementation of the plea bargaining regulations.
“Among challenges we identified is that the regulations do not specify an extension period after end of the 30 days of negotiations between the accused and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),” he said.
Justice Msoffe also cited limited budget for the institutions that supervise alternative punishments, lack of human resources to manage implementation of the alternative punishments as well as lack of awareness among implementers and society about the alternative punishments, as among factors.
He further said they observed that some institutions mainly focused on giving jail term than alternative punishments, directive that require the Tanzania Prisons to be self-reliant by using prisoners as labour force and presence of many laws obstructing bail.
The report further found out that a big wave of illegal immigrants in the recent days was another reason.
“The assessment has been done to see if objectives of imposing the alternative punishments have been met and make recommendations for law improvements. Yes, there are laws, but their implementation has some challenges,” he said.
He noted that the effective implementation of such laws would definitely reduce overcrowding in prisons, the cost of serving prisoners and infectious diseases in prisons.
The Deputy Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Geoffrey Pinda, said the minister responsible will direct steps to be taken after going through the commission’s report.
In addition, Mr Pinda demanded speedy translation of laws into Kiswahili, which he said was still low. So far, more than 200 laws have been translated.
