Offenders get a second chance

The launch and rollout of Community Service Orders to the Lüderitz Magistrate’s Court and the Aus Periodical Court took place at the Power Station Auditorium in the harbour town recently. Speaking at the occasion, Lucia Witbooi, the former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security said the initiative aims to create positive change in communities. She pointed out that her ministry’s involvement in the practice of Community Service Orders started in 2006 with a pilot project in the northern regions of Oshana, Kunene, Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West. “Those regions were selected for demographic purposes as a result and Community Orders have since become operational in all 14 political regions. Thus far the programme has been rolled out to 58 of 71 targeted courts nationwide, representing 81.7% completion as per the ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security’s Strategic Plan. The ministry commits itself to cover the remaining 13 courts by the end of the 2027/2028 Financial Year.”



Benefits



Witbooi highlighted some of the benefits Community Service Orders offer to offenders, the community and the State. “Studies suggest that offenders who participate in Community Service are less likely to reoffend compared to those who are incarcerated. Offenders develop a sense of responsibility and accountability by engaging in meaningful work. The community benefits from the free labour provided to for example clean and maintain public spaces. They can also acquire new skills enhancing their employability and reducing the likelihood of reoffending. The programme also allows offenders to maintain family ties, employment and reduce the negative impact of incarceration.”



Viable alternative



She added that sentencing offenders to serve Community Service Orders is significantly cheaper than sentencing them to terms of incarceration. “The utilisation of community service orders as a sentencing alternative enables the saving of expenses associated with pastoral care including food, utilities, medication and related costs. This in turn allows the government to redirect limited resources to address other pressing needs.”



The Commissioner-General of the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela announced the appointment of two Community Service Order officers to be stationed in Lüderitz. He also gave the assurance that any offender who does not comply with the order will forfeit the privilege. “Those not honouring their release conditions will be brought to book. If they breach the conditions we will apprehend them and incarcerate them so that they can serve out their sentences.”



A second chance



The mayor of Lüderitz, Phillipus Balhao said that he believes in second chances and applauded the Namibian Correctional Service for not incarcerating all offenders. “I am convinced that those qualifying for the Community Service Orders, will reward the trust placed within them with the greatest levels of self-respect and commitment. It is a very important intervention aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration.”



According to Balhao, the introduction of Community Service Orders is befitting the current developmental trajectory of both Lüderitz and Aus. “We find ourselves in a time, where we need all hands-on-deck to fulfil the stringent demands pertaining to infrastructural developments of the Oil, Gas and Green Energy sectors. This initiative will assist us as a community to accelerate the pace of implementation of our socio-economic and commercial ventures in partnership with the Namibian Correctional Service,” he said.



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