Botswana: Given the complexity and challenges encountered daily and long hours at work, it is critical that Prison Officers’ welfare comes at the forefront.
Addressing Letlhakane Prison Staff today, Commissioner of Prisons – Commissioner Dinah Marathe has said the nature of the prison work dictates that an Officer must be physically and mentally prepared to serve the nation diligently.
She highlighted that it is in this regard that the Service introduced the Welfare Scheme with a number of high value components attached to improve the Officers’ social and economic well-being.
She commended the Officers for joining the Savings Scheme in large numbers since its launch. Commissioner Marathe indicated that through the Scheme the Prison Service will soon officially launch its own Insurance Agency; Legora Insurance Agency which is already operational and comes with a Credit Life Cover, Group Life Cover as well as a compulsory Funeral Scheme.
She stated that the other initiative under the Welfare Scheme is the Physical Fitness, Sports and Social Responsibility Programme which will promote participation in sports and physical fitness while at the same time addressing the social needs of officers in times of need.
“The programme has commenced and I urge you to seize this opportunity and join these schemes for your own benefit and your families. It gives each one of us peace of mind and protect our integrity,” she advised.
Commissioner Marathe further challenged the Officers to apply themselves and come up with innovative ideas and implement them promptly not only to benefit Letlhakane but the Prison Service as a whole. She said making a positive long lasting impression on any visitor’s mind comes with good preparation, team work and a receptive attitude. “Work smart and package yourselves properly then everyone will take you seriously and with respect,” she said.
The Commissioner applauded the Officers at Letlhakane Prison for their commitment in intensifying agriculture through different and modern farming techniques to produce food. She said modernised farming should be intensified in each and every station as the Service has committed to a business model approach in addition to prisoners’ skills acquisition.
She urged the Officers to embrace mindset change and fully utilise the professionals in the Service to produce results in a more efficient and progressive manner. “These people are our think-tanks. So, we need to use each other’s strength and take the Prison to greater heights, that is the high performance culture we are talking about,’’ she said.
She also implored them to come closer to their communities particularly through the Reintegration Committees as they are the cornerstones of a sustainable and successful reintegration of ex-offenders.
The Commissioner also had the opportunity to tour the Letlhakane Prison Farm and address the prisoners.