ONDANGWA: The Oluno Correctional Facility in Ondangwa witnessed the release of eleven first-time offenders on Wednesday. This decision, initiated by the Community Advisory Council (CAC), marks a significant step towards rehabilitating individuals with relatively minor offenses.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the objective of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for those with minor offences and small fines to make positive changes in their lives. The offenders, serving sentences ranging from three to six months or with fines not exceeding N.dollars 1,000, were carefully selected based on these criteria.
The funding for this initiative was generously provided by local businessman Ali Dharani, who contributed N.dollars 6,224.99, and the Ongwediva Christian Baptist Church, which added N.dollars 580.60. This financial support played a crucial role in facilitating the release of the selected inmates.
Sitambi expressed hope that the released individuals would not return to the correctional facility and would take this opportunity to turn their lives around. He also emphasized the need for these individuals to address broader societal issues like unemployment and social ills, which he believes are at the root of many petty criminal activities.
Assistant Commissioner Andreas Mundjenge noted that the offences committed by these individuals included housebreaking, theft, and stock theft. He also pointed out that their release would help mitigate the overcrowding problem at the facility, which has a capacity of 569 but was housing over 700 inmates.
Among the beneficiaries was Saara Uugwanga, a first-time offender who, along with ten male offenders, was released. Uugwanga earnestly pleaded for forgiveness from the community and expressed deep regret for her past actions. She, like her fellow releasees, is committed to making better choices in the future.
In a related gesture of goodwill, the CAC also presented Christmas hampers to 18 female offenders and seven juveniles at the facility, spreading cheer and hope during the festive season.