Tanzania moves to establish a startup capital for inmates upon completing their jail terms

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government plans to establish a special fund within the Prisons Service to provide startup capital for inmates completing jail terms with vocational skills.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan revealed the plan today, May 9, 2026, in Dar es Salaam stating that the proposed initiative is aimed at helping former prisoners rebuild their lives and reduce the likelihood of returning to crime due to economic hardship.

Elaborating, the Head of State said that the government has continued implementing reforms in the correctional system by prioritising behavioural rehabilitation alongside skills training to prepare inmates for productive reintegration into society.

According to the President, although many inmates leave prison with valuable skills, the biggest challenge remains lack of capital to start income-generating activities.

“I was discussing with the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Minister that we should now begin thinking about a policy of contributing funds to prisons so that inmates leaving with good skills can receive something small to help them start life again,” she said.

President Samia noted that economic empowerment for former inmates is essential in ensuring rehabilitation programmes achieve lasting results.

Moreover, she directed the Prisons Service to conduct research into the causes behind repeat offending, saying the findings would help authorities identify gaps and strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.