NCS launches new communication system for inmates

Namibia Correctional Services (NCS), in collaboration with Telio Communications Namibia, has implemented a communication system that allows inmates at the Windhoek Female Correctional Facility to communicate with their legal representatives.

The system provides appropriate support, leading to fairer treatment and better outcomes in legal proceedings.

NCS Commissioner Leonard Mahundu, speaking on behalf of NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela, said last week that the Telio system helps ensure the retrieval of all calls. In cases where irregularities are suspected, it provides a clear deterrent to inmates regarding the misuse of the system.

Essentially, with the shortage of manpower at many correctional facilities, the telio system automates call management and monitoring, reducing the workload on officers. This automation alleviates the need for officers to oversee inmate communication, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks within the facility.

According to the commissioner, it will also allow inmates to maintain essential connections with their families and friends. "These relationships provide crucial emotional support. Regular calls with loved ones reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression."

The system is a product of the teamwork, cooperation, and dedication of numerous individuals and stakeholders who share their belief in bettering the lives of the inmates.

The NCS, whose main objective is to rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates as law-abiding citizens, collaborates with key stakeholders to achieve this mandate effectively.