By SYLVIA MWEETWA –

THE Prison Service has said the K17 million allocated in this year’s budget for the construction of prisons cells across the country will reduce congestion.
Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato said  once  the  cells were constructed,  it would  reduce  on the  congestion  which has continued  to increase and  paid  tribute  to the Government for the funds.
Speaking in Kabwe,  Mr Chato explained  that the  construction of the  cells  was  an  answer  to  reduction  of  communicable diseases such as  tuberculosis which was  a  result of  congestion.
The  prison service in the country has  a total holding  capacity  of 8,100 but was currently  holding  more than18,560 prisoners  with the rate of  congestion standing at  250 per cent.
“I can  confirm that  our Government has allocated  K17 million for the  construction of new prison  cells and  we  believe this  will assist  decongest our  prisons throughout  the  country,” he said.
He said currently some prisons were under construction in Kalabo, Monze, Luwingu, Livingstone female prison and Mwense.
Mr Chato said the use of the non-custodial measures like parole through the parole board which was established through the Prisons Amendment Act No16. Of the 2004 has in a way assisted in decongesting the correctional facilities countrywide.
Presidential pardons through amnesties and commutation of sentences had also greatly helped decongest penitentiary facilities.
Mr Chato also said  the prison service had a  medical cadre  of 25 trained  staff headed  by a  medical  doctor which has  contributed to improved  medical  services  delivery to the prisoners.
He, however, said there was  need  for  more  trained  medical officers  to  meet  the  needs  of  prisoners.