Speaking on Monday in Balaka during graduation of 41 residents (ex-prisoners) in a six-month skills and technical training, PFM Board Chairperson Reverend Fletcher Kayiya said reducing recidivism needs collaborative effort from everyone in the rehabilitation.

In his remarks, guest-of-honour, Balaka district commissioner, MacLoud Kadammanja, said releasing ex-prisoners who have acquired skills training into society is the best way of dealing with recommitting crimes.

The Half-Way House Program is a rehabilitation program and mostly deal with people in conflict with the law and they have about six months to complete their sentences.

The PS Commissioner responsible for farms and industry Clement Kainja said the 41 citizens that have graduated from carpentry and joinery, tailoring and fashion designing, fabrication and welding and electrical installation epitomizes how reforms have contributed towards change in the MPS.

“Recidivism needs multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration and approach hence we are grateful to PFM Halfway House project, Teveta Authority which supports in provision of quality skills training and government,” Kainja said.

PFM runs the Halfway House project with funding from European Union (EU) and Prison Fellowship International.