Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Dickson Matembo, says government will continue to pursue a stronger and more coordinated mental health response for the correctional sector by deepening collaboration between the Zambia Correctional Service and…

Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Dickson Matembo, says government will continue to pursue a stronger and more coordinated mental health response for the correctional sector by deepening collaboration between the Zambia Correctional Service and health sector.

Mr Matembo says mental health cannot be left at the margins of the health system alone, adding that people including inmates experiencing mental health conditions must be cared for rather than excluded from society.

The Permanent Secretary stated that mental illness particularly among inmates is a health condition that must be approached through compassion, professional assessment, treatment, psychosocial support and where appropriate rehabilitation and reintegration.

ZANIS reports that he said this during the 2026 International Day of Prayer and Action for Inmates at Mwembeshi Remand Prison and Correctional Centre in Chilanga district.

And Mr Matembo noted the government’s concern particularly about the relationship between mental health and substance abuse, saying that incarceration measures alone cannot adequately address the challenges.

“Accountability must be accompanied by prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration. This is why the national response initiative programme increasingly brings together professionals, communities, families, religious institutions and other stakeholders, ” he said.

Mr Matembo implored the Zambia Correctional Service to strengthen the evidence based mental health programmes, stating that a good mental health policy requires reliable information on the needs of inmates and officers, the services available to them and outcomes of interventions.

“To every inmate who is struggling with mental illness, remember that you are not forgotten, your condition does not define the whole of your life. There is still room for treatment, growth, reconciliation and hope,” he encouraged the inmates.

The Permanent Secretary noted the need for the International Day of Prayer and Action for Inmates to bring renewed commitment to Zambia where mental health is treated as a matter of public health, human dignity and shared commitment.

Meanwhile, Zambia Correctional Service Deputy Commissioner General, Bwalya Kuyomba, explained the theme, a mentally ill inmate is also a patient: a call for compassion reminds every one of the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of inmates that require attention.

Mr Kuyomba revealed the mental illness has increasingly taken centre stage in the correctional health agenda, as psychological wellbeing is integral to rehabilitation and successful reintegration.

“With support from the government we continue to build a correctional environment where seeking help is encouraged. An inmate who is supported can participate meaningfully in rehabilitation and an officer whose wellbeing is protected can serve professionally and compassionately,” he said.

He also thanked the government for policies s7ch as the free education and skills training, disclosing that for the first time in history over 7500 inmates and former inmates have obtained TEVETA certificates over the past five years.

Mr Kuyomba said this has equipped them with practical skills for livelihood and economic independence upon release.

“We have also seen increased enrolment of inmates in general certificates of education examinations and through partnerships with universities, access to tertiary education in both humanities and natural sciences. Facilities are becoming places of learning, personal development and renewed opportunity, ” he added.

Giving homily, an inmate Winfred Mapapayi stressed the need to treat mentally ill inmates with compassion and a sense of restoration in that they are also humans that need care, restoration, love and not isolation.

Mr Mapapayi explained mental illness comes about due to a number of psychological trauma that requires treatment.

Meanwhile, another inmate Hope Nyirenda thanked the government, religious organisations among other stakeholders for the continued support towards the inmate’s spiritual, emotional wellbeing and overall welfare.

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