Botswana’s prisons are struggling with severe overcrowding and systemic issues, as revealed in a recent session of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Nelson Ramaotwana confirmed concerns raised by Carter Morupisi, the former Permanent Secretary to the President, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence. Morupisi’s letter highlighted critical problems, including overcrowding, drug abuse, and corruption within the prison system.
The latest statistics paint a grim picture, with Botswana’s prisons holding 4,337 inmates—far exceeding their intended capacity. Among these, 4,220 are convicts, 1,251 are remand detainees, and two are held under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Overcrowding is particularly acute at the First Offenders Prison, where Morupisi reported inadequate ablution facilities and insufficient space. The Minister acknowledged these challenges but cited financial constraints as a barrier to expanding prison infrastructure.
While the Ministry refuted Morupisi’s claim that rehabilitation programs were absent—pointing to agricultural work, carpentry, and counseling services—it admitted ongoing problems with contraband, including drugs and cellphones. The Minister confirmed that dagga is prevalent in prisons and that unauthorized mobile devices are often smuggled in, sometimes with the alleged involvement of corrupt officers and external collaborators.
In response to Kgosi Ian Khama IV’s inquiry, the Ministry agreed to allow a delegation from the Ntlo ya Dikgosi to conduct a fact-finding mission to assess prison conditions firsthand. This move is seen as a step toward greater transparency and potential reform.
Further compounding the crisis, the report noted that 10 correctional officers are currently on sick leave, raising concerns about staffing shortages in an already strained system.
The government has pledged to improve prison conditions in line with human rights standards, but progress remains slow due to budgetary limitations. “Our vision is to increase accommodation, but financial constraints are a hurdle,” the Ramaotwana said.
