Lungu cautions prisoners

President Edgar Lungu has cautioned prisoners against abusing the presidential pardon once released from prison.

President Lungu has observed that inmates who are released on presidential pardon have in the recent past abused their chances and ended up finding themselves back in prisons.

ZANIS reports that the President said powers to forgive prisoners should not be taken for granted because his intention to pardon some prisoners is being exercised in good faith in order to give people who had gone against the law a second chance.

President Edgar Lungu

The head of state cautioned inmates against embarrassing him for pardoning them saying it was embarrassing to see some inmates who were pardoned back in the correctional facilities.

He said prisoners are incarcerated in order to reform so that they can return to society as better and resourceful citizens and not as condemned citizens.

President Lungu said as a Christian, he feels duty bound to forgive law breakers after they realise their mistake so that they can start over in society.

He said every citizen can make a mistake but pointed out that breaking the law with impunity does not pay as the law breakers will be caged.

The President was speaking when he donated computers, cookers and fridges to Lusaka Central Prison in Lusaka.

The President donated 50 computers, 6 electrical pots, 4 deep fridges, 4 upright fridges, 4 stoves and chitenge materials for women inmates.