The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Albert Kawana, has inaugurated the Kaoko-Otavi Correctional Facility Project in Opuwo Rural Constituency.
The project will be developed as a food production farm and will see offenders from Kunene and surrounding areas serve their time, closer to their families.
Safety and Security Minister Dr. Albert Kawana said long distances between offenders and their families contravene international standards.
“Studies have consistently found that inmates who maintain close contact with their family members while incarcerated have better post-release outcomes and lower re-offending rates.”
The construction of the level-one correctional facility began in February this year.
About 384 hectares of land were allocated by the Kaoko-Otavi Traditional Authority in consultation with the Kunene Regional Council.
Thus far, about 8.6-kilometre perimeter fence has been erected, and the entire fence should be completed by February next year.
30.5 hectares of land have been cleared already, and the installation of irrigation systems and crop production are expected to commence in the next financial year.
“The structure we are inaugurating here today includes an administration block, comprising of 4 offices and a boardroom, 6 officers, accommodation facilities designated to house 44 officers, and one inmate dormitory with a capacity for 30 inmates.”
The construction of the facility signifies the government’s dedication to transforming correctional facilities into productive centres that enhance national food security objectives.
It will further impart much-needed skills to offenders to serve them in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society after release.
Kunene Governor Marius Sheya is happy that the facility will also produce animal foods, as this region has been hit by drought for many years.
“The Kunene Region has been hardest hit by drought for the past 8 years, and we are a region that is hit hard by drought. We are forever importing food for people and animal consumption from other regions, and it is rare to have a project of this magnitude to come and produce and make the region of Kunene food secure on its own.”