Mama Samia Legal Aid campaign rescues 6,900 detainees

MOROGORO: THE Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign has brought significant benefits to prisoners and detainees across the country.

Over 12,000 inmates and remandees have benefited from the initiative in various prisons, with 6,900 remandees released following the provision of legal aid services.

This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Prison Operations (CP), Nicodemus Tenga, during the launch of the second phase of capacity-building training for legal and correctional officers. The training, held in Morogoro region, focuses on legal aid services, prisoner reception procedures, and the implementation of alternative sentencing.

ALSO READ: Tanzania’s 25 regions benefit from Mama Samia Legal Aid tour

According to CP Tenga, the prison population stood at over 32,000 in 2021, but as of June 9, 2025, the number has decreased to 26,896. He noted a significant shift in the ratio of prisoners to remandees from an equal balance to the current state, where prisoners make up 75 percent and remandees 25 percent of the total prison population.

Meanwhile, Jane Lyimo, Director of the Department of Constitution and Human Rights Monitoring at the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, stated that the training aims to enhance officers’ understanding of human rights, inmate rights management, implementation of alternative punishments, and contract oversight.

Opening the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Rwezimula emphasized the crucial responsibility of the Prison Service in managing the final stage of the criminal justice chain. He underscored the importance of supporting and strengthening the institution in its mission to deliver justice and rehabilitation to society.