By Dorcus Kimono
The Uganda Prisons Service Council has called for the fast implementation of a parole system to ease congestion in prisons and improve inmate management.
Parole allows an inmate to serve part of their sentence outside prison under strict conditions after meeting set requirements. It is supervised, with clear reporting rules, and can be revoked if conditions are breached.
The call was made during the 36th Uganda Prisons Service Council Meeting held at the Luzira Prisons Complex Youth Centre in Kampala.
Chairperson of the Council and Commissioner General of Prisons, Can. Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, said the parole system will help promote discipline and social order within the prison system.
He was addressing council members at the close of the meeting, where he also welcomed officers who recently passed out during a ceremony of 1,238 recruit warders and wardresses officiated by Vice President Jessica Alupo.
Dr. Byabashaija commended the organising committee for delivering the pass-out, noting it reflected professionalism and teamwork within the Service.
The meeting also confirmed the promotion of junior officers, citing hard work, dedication and commitment to service.
The Uganda Prisons Service Council is the second-highest decision-making body after the Prisons Authority and is responsible for guiding the Service. It handles appointments and promotions of officers up to the rank of Principal Officer and exercises disciplinary control within its mandate.
The Council advises on the rank structure and formulates terms and conditions of service for staff, subject to approval. It also sets standards for recruitment and training, determines the type and quality of equipment and supplies to be procured, and formulates policies while overseeing their implementation.
It is further mandated to ensure proper organisation and administration of the Service, including promoting a national character and balanced composition of the workforce. The Council may appoint committees from among its members to support its work.
