Dedza Prison has appealed to well-wishers to support its rehabilitation activities with farming equipment as well as farm inputs, water facilities and electrical equipment for welding and carpentry.
The appeal comes as inmates at the institution are engaged in various productive activities, including farming, welding, carpentry, car washing, poultry farming and other vocational works to equip them with skills for life after prison.
The facility’s assistant public relations officer Sergeant Patrick Weruzani said in an interview on Wednesday that prisoners were cultivating crops, including tomato, onions, cabbage and bananas.
He said farming activities not only contribute to food production but also provide prisoners with practical agricultural skills.
“Prison is not only for punishment. We also want to make sure that when inmates leave this place, they have acquired skills to help them earn a living and support their families,” said Weruzani.
However, he said the facility is facing challenges that affect the implementation of some of the productive activities.
Weruzani said lack of a reliable source of water for irrigation was affecting farming activities, particularly during dry season.
“The institution also lacks some electrical equipment required for carpentry and welding, including electric circular saws and bench grinders, among others,” he said.
One of the inmates, Paul Andrew from Traditional Authority Kachere in the district, said the carpentry workshop was helping them acquire skills that will be useful after their release.
