Over 12,000 inmates, remandees benefit from Samia’s Legal Aid Campaign

MOROGORO: TANZANIA Prisons Service has said that the National Legal Aid Campaign initiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan has significantly benefited more than 12,000 inmates and remandees across various prisons in the country.

Out of those reached by the campaign, about 6,900 remandees have been released from prison after receiving legal assistance. Commissioner of Legal Affairs and Prison Operations, Mr Nicodemus Tenga made the remarks on Monday in Morogoro while delivering a statement during the opening of the second phase of capacity-building training for legal officers and prison rehabilitation staff.

The training focused on legal aid services, the reception of inmates into the prison system and alternative sentencing. T

he second phase of the training, scheduled to conclude on June 13, 2025, was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Franklin Rwezimula. He represented the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Eliakim Maswi.

According to Mr Tenga, in 2021 the prison population stood at over 32,000 inmates. As of June 9, 2025, the number had dropped to 26,896.

“Previously, the inmate population was split almost evenly between convicted prisoners and remandees. Currently, convicted prisoners account for 75 per cent while remandees make up 25 per cent,” he explained.

He added: “For your information, our prison system has the capacity to hold 29,102 inmates. As of June 10, 2025, we are below capacity by over 3,000 inmates,” he added.

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He further noted that around 50 districts in Tanzania still lack prison facilities, forcing the transfer of inmates to neighbouring district prisons. For example, Kakonko and Uvinza districts in Kigoma Region do not have their own prisons.

“As a result of this training, the Prisons Service will establish a system to monitor how the trainees apply what they have learned to improve performance in their duties and respective areas,” Mr Tenga said.

On her part, Director of the Department of Constitution and Human Rights Monitoring in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Ms Jane Lyimo said the training aims to enhance understanding of human rights, prisoner rights, implementation of alternative sentencing and contract management.

“The Ministry expects you to uphold human rights and help build a justice system that functions efficiently, transparently and based on legal evidence,” she explained.

Ms Lyimo explained that the training was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved 120 participants and the second phase has 170 participants, bringing the total to 290 beneficiaries. She said this demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the criminal justice chain.

Earlier, speaking during the opening of the training, the deputy PS, Dr Rwezimula said the Prisons Service carries a crucial responsibility as the final link in the criminal justice system.

“This responsibility demands professional skills, a deep understanding of the law, behavioural rehabilitation techniques, high integrity and the ability to work in challenging environments,” Dr Rwezimula said.

He added that in today’s rapidly changing world, especially in the areas of security, society and legal systems, it is the nation’s duty to deliberately invest in building the capacity of public servants.