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Staff of Zambia Correctional Service with Journalists in Lusaka – Pic by Albert Mpezeni
The Zambia Correctional Service has disclosed that correctional facilities in the country are currently holding over 20, 800 inmates against the holding capacity of 8,000 inmates.
Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General Percy Chato has told a media briefing ahead of the 2017 Correctional Day on 18th July, 2017, that this represents over 200 percent overcrowding in correctional facilities.
Mr. Chato adds that there are about 161 inmates on death roll across the country.
He has also disclosed that following the transformation of prisons to correctional facilities in line with the new constitution, the service has finalized drafting the Correctional Service Bill which is currently at the Ministry of Justice.
Mr. Chato says government is in the process of repealing and replacing the Prisons Act with the Correctional Service Bill.
Speaking earlier, Zambia Correctional Service commissioner for corrections and extension services Tobias Mwanza has praised the church for its efforts in trying to help the inmates realize their full potential in life.
Mr. Mwanza says various churches are closely working with the service in preparing for the forthcoming National Day of Prayer and Action for inmates which will be held in tandem with the 2017 Correctional Day.
Percy Chato