Minister of Justice and Attorney General Busingye Johnston launched a project of empowering females and youth who are about to complete their sentence in prison. This official launch took place on Tuesday the 5^th February 2019 in Musanze prison and focusses on mental health care and hands on skills training regarding Rwanda market oriented programmes.

The project is being implemented through the cooperation between Rwanda Correctional Services, Byumba Catholic Diocese and OXFAM. Among the activities to be carried out, there is psychological canceling and teaching them hands on skills so that released inmates can create some income earning activities to sustain their families and this will reduce recidivism. At the beginning, the project will be implemented in Musanze prison and Nyagatare Juvenile Prison and later on it will be extended to other prisons as funds become available.

Minister Busingye told inmates that the project is not only aiming at teaching them hands on skills but also giving them chance to live happily in a crime free conditions. “The current launched project does not only aim at teaching you hands on skills like hair braiding and suing clothes, rather it will also give you third chance of changing your lives into a crime free living conditions” Minister Busingye emphasised.

 “A crime free country or a country which fights crimes in all possible ways is the one that suits Rwandans. We request all of you to do your best to become those people who always sensitize your fellow citizens to avoid committing any kind of crime once you complete your sentence and you are released. The country needs your efforts for its development” He added.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General appreciated stakeholders’ efforts especially Byumba Catholic Diocese and its sponsor OXFAM who took the lead to care for inmates’ mental health and provided training on hands on skills for women and youth in Musanze Prison and Nyagatare Juvenile prison so that they can go back in the community with needed confidence to live and sustain their families.