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Africa

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• Malawi |
• Nigeria |
• Rwanda |
• South Africa |
• Ethiopia |
• Lesotho |
• Namibia |
• Swaziland |
• Zimbabwe |
• Liberia |
• Zambia

Sycamore Tree Project® and PF South Africa

Recently, Douw Grobler, executive director of PF South Africa, reported on the “high level of partnership between PFSA and the Department of Correctional services (DCS)” as seen in the Sycamore Tree Project® (STP). In 2007, PF South Africa signed a service agreement with the DCS to provide STP to 80% of South African prisons within four years. They then provided workshops that trained 136 individuals to facilitate the programme in four different DCS management areas.

Facilitating Prisoner Releases in Liberia

Recently, PF Liberia aided the release of 36 prisoners held for more than 180 days without trial in Monrovia Central Prison and Kakata Prison Centre.

Strengthening Connections with the Prison Service in Zimbabwe

Recently, PF Zimbabwe (PFZ) sponsored a one-day joint workshop for PFZ volunteers and board members and several representatives from the Prison Service including social workers, religious workers, rehabilitation officers and psychologists.

Advocating for Restorative Justice in Nigeria

Participants in a recent one-day seminar organized by PF Nigeria discussed the chronic prison overcrowding in that country and explored solutions through alternatives to incarceration based on restorative justice.

Restorative Justice Training for Corrections Personnel

Recently, PF Lesotho sponsored a two-week training event on restorative justice for members of the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS). Thirty-five participants including prison chaplains and correctional rehabilitation officers participated in the event held at the Lesotho Training Centre.

Crime-Care Conference

In cooperation with Lotsha, a Christian networking organisation, PF South Africa recently hosted a one-day conference for churches with the theme, “Our Offenders, Our Victims, Our Responsibility.”

Caring for Ex-Prisoners in Namibia

Prisoners leaving prison face many challenges such as disconnection from life in their communities; estrangement from family members; lack of job skills; and scars from their imprisonment. To help ex-prisoners successfully overcome these challenges, PF Namibia created a halfway house programme to serve as a residential rehabilitation programme for ex-prisoners.

Reconciling Victims and Offenders in Swaziland

As offenders come to understand the harm they have caused, they feel the need to express their remorse and take responsibility for their behaviour. In response to this need, the PF Swaziland reconciliation team assists prisoners in this journey toward healing. When prisoners ask PFS volunteers to relay their apology to the victim, the reconciliation team steps in to visit with the prisoner and the victim. During meetings with the victims, often attended by the prison chaplain, the team members explain the desire of the offender to apologize and meet with the victim. After several meetings with each party, a meeting inside the prison is facilitated by the members of the reconciliation team. Often these meetings end in an offer of forgiveness from those affected by the offending behaviour.

Liberating the Captives

It started with a family feud and then Zanele Dlamini found herself in prison. When her half-sister accused her of stealing, Zanele fervently protested her innocence. But she couldn’t afford legal representation and under duress she confessted to the theft. Now she and her baby were facing ten months in prison because she couldn’t pay the fine of just $30USD.

Using Workshops to Advocate for Justice Reform

Justice reform is a priority for Prison Fellowship Ethiopia. One justice reform strategy is the organization of training workshops for all actors in the criminal justice system including police officers, judges, and prison directors. With the goal of building capacity in the justice system, these workshops cover different topics.

Ensuring Due Process for Prisoners in Liberia

Prison Fellowship Liberia is participating in a Case Flow Committee created by the national government to review the cases of prisoners being held without trial. Each week, the committee – consisting of representatives from the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the Ministry of Justice and PF Liberia – reviews cases to identify prisoners who have not been formally charged in court.

PF Zambia Representatives Receive Restorative Justice Training

In May, Samuel Kawilila and Richard Mbindawina of PF Zambia travelled to the USA to study restorative justice at the Eastern Mennonite University Summer Peacebuilding Institute in Harrisonburg, VA

Promoting Alternatives in Swaziland

In early March 2006, PF Swaziland in partnership with the Swaziland Association for the Prevention of Offenders sponsored a seminar on non-custodial alternatives with a particular focus on community service.

Helping Ex-Offenders Re-Enter Society in Malawi

In January 2005, PF Malawi opened a halfway house to assist ex-prisoners in the transition from prison to community life.

PF Swaziland Hosts Restorative Justice Seminar

In December 2005, PF Swaziland sponsored a restorative justice seminar for key justice system stakeholders. The one day seminar featured speakers from PFI, PF Swaziland, PF Lesotho and other organizations within Swaziland

Restorative Justice Workshop Report

On 17 December 2005, PF Swaziland hosted an introductory workshop on restorative justice at Mountain Inn, Mbabane, Swaziland. This report offers an overview of the event and summary of the information shared.

Rwanda Releases 36,000 Prisoners

Because the country’s prisons are overcrowded at triple theircapacity, Rwanda’s Government has recently ordered the release of 36,000 inmates. Some participants in the 1994 Genocide who are not considered “planners” will be among those released.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

The Gospels are an amazing story of reconciliation. It is the heart of the Christian message. Yet reconciliation is not the first thing that comes into the minds of innocent victims who suffer a loss or an injustice. People who lose a loved one to a violent crime will often feel bitter, angry and resentful. Seldom would anyone be inclined to think first of forgiveness and being reconciled to the offender in such circumstances. As difficult as the process of reconciliation is, a growing number of PF ministries are responding to the challenge of helping victims and offenders grow beyond the pain and anger and alienation of their experiences. The results are often miraculous.

The Prison Fellowship Zimbabwe 'Open-Prison Justice Initiative'

Since 2002, PRISON FELLOWSHIP ZIMBABWE has strategically partnered up with the Ministry Of Justice, Legal & Parliamentary Affairs in the establishment of the Connemara Open Prison. This partnership, coming on the heels of the successful establishment and implementation of the Community Service Scheme, is a further expression and demonstration of the close relationship that is developing between the National Ministry and the government of Zimbabwe. PF Zimbabwe, in every justice initiative that it undertakes, fully realizes the critical importance of this supportive relationship.

Prison Fellowship Ethiopia’s Role in Developing a Dynamic and Vibrant Justice System

This document describes the Human Rights seminars for justice officials organized from June to September 2004.