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Progress
Training of Probation Officers on the relevant provisions of the CPW ACT was
undertaken for one week in January 2014.
Difficulties
Probation unit being understaffed and under-skilled means that rehabilitation
programming is a forgotten priority, as they struggle to keep up with the supervision of
children released from detention to their control. This is turn means that diversion
measures are not used to the fullest as magistrates have no confidence that supervisory
orders will be carried out.
GoL must allocate budget to establish the probation schools and hostels envisaged by
the CPW Act. More detention centres are also required so that there is one accessible
to each District rather than there being only one in Maseru. Further the JTC requires
funding for rejuvenation. It is a training facility in name only. It functions more like a
prison with conditions not conducive to children.
9.6
Children of imprisoned mothers - Special treatment for expectant
mothers and mothers of infants and young children who have been
accused or found guilty of infringing the law (Article 30); Prohibition
of imprisonment of a mother with her child (Article 30(d));
Reformation, integration of the mother into the family and social
rehabilitation (Article 30(f)).
Legislative
There is no prohibition of a mother imprisoned with her child.
Administrative
Correctional Services Operational Guidelines espouse that breastfeeding mothers stay
with their children until the age of two (2) years, then the child is placed at a care facility
or placed with extended family members until the mother is released from prison.
In the women's prison in Maseru District there is a clinic with a fulltime nurse employed.
The nurse is capable of providing pre-natal care and care for the child after birth.
Progress
Every six (6) months, all correctional centres host a Day for Families where the inmates
immediate and extended family can attend to visit. This assists with the reintegration of
the inmate into the community once released. Mothers are given light duties in prisons
while they are pregnant. Pregnant girls and young mother inmates attend at JTC each
weekday to attend school classes. They are eligible for a graduation certificate.