MARA: MORE than 5,000 inmates in Musoma Prison have benefited from the parole system since 2002.
The beneficiaries, totalling 5,082 are among the 5,773 inmates who were initially proposed to benefit from the system.
Prison Legal Officer, Mr Justine Idephonce, revealed that during the on-going Legal Week commemorations in Mara Region.
According to him, parole system is the right of any obedient inmate to be released before serving his/her whole jail term and finish the remaining period outside the prison, under certain agreements.
The system is designed for inmates serving a jail term of five years or more. However, to qualify as a beneficiary, an inmate must have already served at least one-third of their sentence.
In addition to demonstrating good behaviour and obedience resulting from behavioural change, release also depends on the inmate’s willingness, as they have the right to reject the offer.
“Some have been rejecting such right for fear of being harmed once they are back in their community, following the damages they have caused.
“But some inmates also reject it under the grounds of having nowhere to go, meaning they are completely homeless,” he said.
He further explained that the parole system strictly excludes those found guilty of murder, human and illegal drug trafficking, treason and other serious offences.
However, released individuals must continue to adhere to all prison rules, just as inmates do, until their sentence is fully served. Failure to comply will result in their return to prison.
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In collaboration with the community and local government authorities, the prisons monitor parole beneficiaries to observe their deeds, affirmed the Legal Officer.
He stressed that parole is a fundamental human right for eligible inmates, designed to foster positive change in society while enabling prisoners to contribute to the development of their communities and the nation.
Assistant Prison Inspector, Mr Erick Bwire, said that parole is a human right like any other, of which all Tanzanians must be familiar with.
He called on Mara residents to get educated through the commemorations, to let the community know how it works, its access, as well as how to monitor the released prisoners through parole.
The Assistant Inspector added that following rehabilitation programmes for inmates that have been conducted in prison, it becomes easy for parole beneficiaries to engage in various economic activities in their communities.
It was noted that rehab programmes involve among others, skills and knowledge transferring in areas of agriculture, masonry, carpentry, welding and animal husbandry.
“They are therefore most likely to be engaged in any field for their benefits, once they stick to behaviour change,” he said.
