Morris Kizito, the director of Mission After Custody (MAC), has urged the Ugandan government to establish resettlement facilities for former convicts. He emphasizes that the absence of accommodation options for ex-inmates has led to a surge in crime rates across the country.
Kizito points out that many released prisoners find themselves in dire situations, often unable to reconnect with their families. These challenges often push them back into a life of crime as they struggle to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare, which were provided in prison.
One significant factor contributing to this predicament, Kizito explains, is the friendships formed in prison, along with the free services inmates receive, including meals, medical care, and education. After release, many cannot afford these necessities, pushing them towards criminal activities.
Ex-convicts, Kizito insists, feel abandoned by society, leading them down the path of criminality. He warns of the high risk of these individuals joining criminal gangs, potentially landing them back behind bars.
Statistics from research conducted five years ago reveal that Uganda Prisons Service had a re-offending rate of 40%, indicating that 40 out of every 100 released inmates returned to prison within a year. The Uganda Police Force’s 2009 report also highlighted that many released prisoners were treated as repeat offenders by law enforcement.
Currently, MAC provides accommodation for over 500 homeless individuals, including international deportees and local homeless citizens. Kizito raises the question of burial arrangements for those under MAC’s care in case of their demise.
To combat the re-offending rate and break the cycle of crime, Kizito proposes that the Ministry of Internal Affairs take the initiative to construct resettlement homes for ex-prisoners. Furthermore, he suggests allocating land for income-generating projects to equip former inmates with valuable skills for a successful transition into society upon their release from prison.
