The Maseru Central and Mokhotlong Correctional Institutions have seen great improvements to their premises since the beginning of 2005/2006 financial year.

Assistant Commissioner for Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS)-Planning, Projects and Public Relations, Mr. Matingoe Phamotse told LENA in an interview aimed at establishing progress made pertaining to Capital project of LCS.

In Mokhotlong, major improvements were electrification of both staff quarters and prison premises including construction of new buildings as well as renovation of some of them (buildings).

In Maseru at Central Correctional institution, improvements made included renovation of Maximum Security facility, kitchen, chapel as well as the mini clinic.

As part of the development, Mr. Phamotse said sanitary facilities were constructed in Mokhotlong, while at Central Correctional Institution were renovated for better hygiene.

Other improvements seen in the department were in the farming and irrigation systems at Lepper and Mafeteng open camp institutions as well as Leribe institution brick making project, he said.

These developments according to Mr. Phamotse came after a long time experience of horrible situation that prevailed within the department's premises, commenting that such conditions were also hazardous to staff and inmates' lives hence hindered good management of the two.The project that is expected to be completed by the end of July has been funded by the government and the Department For International Developments (DFID) through the Lesotho Justice Sector Development Programme (LJSDP).

The Central and Mokhotlong institutions have been funded by the government with M4,5 million and more than M1,1 million respectively, while Lepper and Mafeteng farms as well as Leribe brick making were funded by LJSDP with about M800 000.

SOURCE: LENA 14/06/2007