Dr. Sarah Aba-Afari: A Beacon of Hope for Tanzania’s Prison Reform Efforts

By Adonis Byemelwa

In an exclusive interview with Pan African Visions, Dr. Sarah Aba-Afari, the first female police officer in Ghana and Africa to hold a Ph.D., offers invaluable insights into the urgent need for reform within Tanzania's correctional system. With a distinguished career spanning law enforcement and academia, she provides a comprehensive analysis of the systemic challenges facing Tanzania's prisons and proposes actionable strategies for fostering accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights. From addressing issues of abuse and neglect to advocating for comprehensive staff training and external support, her expertise serves as a guiding light in the quest for justice and equality within the criminal justice system.

 Dr. Aba-Afari, as a highly respected Chief Superintendent of Police in Ghana, what is your reaction to the recent revelations of abuse and neglect within Tanzania’s correctional facilities?

The Criminal Justice System (CJS) in Africa, including Tanzania, faces deep-rooted challenges inherited from colonial-era prisons designed for intimidation rather than rehabilitation. These facilities often lack adequate infrastructure and staff training, leading to overcrowding and a failure to uphold the rights and dignity of inmates. Reports of abuse and neglect highlight systemic issues, exacerbated by insufficient supervision and resource allocation. To address these concerns, stakeholders must collaborate on policy development and invest in comprehensive training programs for prison staff. Addressing issues like overcrowding, inadequate supervision, and neglect of personnel will not only improve conditions within the prison system but also uphold the principles of human rights and dignity for all individuals involved.

Efforts to reform Tanzania's prison system require a multifaceted approach, involving the Commissioner General of Tanzania Prisons, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and relevant stakeholders. Prioritizing staff training, infrastructure development, and resource allocation is crucial to prevent further abuses and promote professional conduct. Moreover, addressing issues such as delayed supply of essential items and neglect of personnel's needs is essential for maintaining morale and fostering a culture of accountability within the prison system. By prioritizing the well-being of both inmates and staff, Tanzania can move towards a more just and humane criminal justice system that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Given your expertise in law enforcement and your commitment to human rights, how do you perceive the urgency of addressing systemic failures within Tanzania’s prison system?

The Tanzania Prison Service, like its counterparts globally, bears the crucial responsibility of upholding the human rights of inmates while ensuring their safe custody and rehabilitation. With a shift from punitive measures to a focus on rehabilitation, the prison system must be adequately resourced and staffed to meet societal expectations. Training and retraining of personnel, in alignment with international standards such as the Mandela Rules, are essential for effective prison management. Collaborations with social welfare agencies and other stakeholders further enhance the rehabilitation process. However, challenges such as inadequate resources, including transportation and accommodation, as well as delayed payments and lack of leave opportunities for officers, hinder the fulfillment of these mandates. To address these issues, concerted efforts from leadership, partnerships with stakeholders, and improvements in infrastructure and staff welfare are imperative for fostering a humane and effective prison system in Tanzania.

As someone who has risen through the ranks within law enforcement, what steps do you believe Tanzania should take to ensure accountability and transparency in its correctional institutions?

The Tanzania Prison Service, as a publicly funded institution, is held accountable to the public for its performance. Oversight mechanisms, including audits by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Controller and Auditor General of Tanzania, ensure transparency and accountability in budgetary allocations, procurement, and overall operations. Internal audits and disciplinary actions further reinforce accountability among prison personnel. Daily duty parades and regular briefings can enhance professionalism and reduce arbitrary behavior, while periodic transfers help prevent abuse of power due to familiarity with the environment. Additionally, the prison service has a responsibility to communicate its achievements and challenges to the public through media interactions, highlighting successes in inmate rehabilitation and efforts to address instances of abuse. Seeking public support for personnel training initiatives further fosters transparency and community engagement in the prison system's reformative goals.

 In light of your experience collaborating with international partners such as the US Embassy in Ghana, how do you envision the role of external support in addressing the challenges faced by Tanzania’s prisons?

Tanzania's prison, like many other African institutions, faces numerous issues. It is a developing nation with a population of 65.5 million people and a prison population of 32,671 as of March 2022. External support has become nearly vital, and it comes in many forms, the most common of which are international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), philanthropic foundations, and foreign governments. At best, they could mature into partners, forming a symbiotic partnership. Their function is crucial since the nation lacks the resources to adequately train correctional personnel in the required or standard skills. They are required to supplement resources for improving jail conditions, promoting rehabilitation programs, and increasing the capacity of Tanzanian prisons, which are currently overcrowded with an occupancy rate of 109%.

External sponsors use their influence and lobbying to prioritize human rights issues. They also promote transparency and emphasize the importance of modifying policies for fairness and equality among inmates. These significantly enhance convicts' living conditions while addressing structural concerns that may have been prevalent in Tanzanian jails.

As the first female police officer in Ghana and Africa to be awarded a PhD, how do you think your unique perspective and expertise can contribute to efforts to reform Tanzania’s correctional institutions?

Education is the cornerstone of transformation within the Tanzania Prison Service. By forging partnerships with universities, tailored educational programs can address institutional gaps. Policies promoting gender equity in tertiary education sponsorships empower staff and enhance service delivery. Recruiting clinical psychologists and counselors enriches reformation strategies, while revamped counseling services ensure inmate well-being. Offering education within prisons empowers inmates for future success, with qualified professionals serving as teachers to foster self-reliance and reduce tensions behind bars.

 Drawing from your journey of overcoming obstacles and achieving success within law enforcement, what advice would you offer to Tanzanian authorities grappling with the need for reformation?

Norway's pioneering prison reform model sets a global standard for rehabilitation and dignity in correctional systems. By empowering offenders to engage in decision-making and fostering accountability, self-esteem is bolstered, and isolation is diminished. Prioritizing reintegration programs like halfway homes aids successful societal reentry and reduces recidivism. Investment in staff training cultivates a safer, more effective prison environment. Yet, true rehabilitation demands collaboration among officers, inmates, and communities to achieve reform and enhance public safety.

Given your dedication to gender issues and human trafficking, how do you view the intersectionality of these issues with the systemic challenges facing Tanzania’s prisons?

Tanzania's prisons hold around 3.4% female inmates, facing unique challenges. Women, particularly trafficking survivors, struggle with reintegration due to stigma and lack of support services, leading to high recidivism rates. A shortage of trained staff exacerbates these issues. Female detainees are at risk of exploitation and health vulnerabilities, worsened by overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. Barriers to legal protection and justice compound their plight, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and increased support services within the criminal justice system.

Your background as an Evangelical Lutheran Church pastor adds another dimension to your multifaceted career. How do you balance your involvement in church activities with your duty as a senior law enforcement official?

As a devoted Christian and law enforcement official, I strive to emulate the qualities of Jesus Christ, living a life of love, patience, humility, and selflessness guided by the Holy Spirit. My dual roles as a pastor and a senior police officer are complementary, as they both emphasize discipline, planning, and a dedication to serving others. Drawing from Ecclesiastes, I recognize the importance of timing and seize every opportunity to positively impact my environment, whether through preaching or proactive crime prevention efforts within my church community. I approach my interactions with criminals and offenders with empathy and grace, believing in the power of planning and review to achieve effectiveness in both realms. Serving humanity in these capacities brings me fulfillment, as I strive to bring about positive change and uphold God's principles of love and justice in all that I do.