Establishment of Youth Clubs
Re-Integration of Ex-Prisoners:
Establishment of Youth Clubs
To facilitate addressing challenges faced by ex-young offenders and improve coordination of interventions, SANOP recommended and prioritised establishing Youth Clubs across the SANOP countries. With the establishment of associations, which was a key result for SANOP, local leaders and SANOP Chapter members would mentor Club members and assist them to access resources to empower them and facilitate their integration.
In Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, a total of five youth clubs were established at Whawha Young Offenders, each club composed of 10-15 juveniles.
“Even though the initial plan was to establish more Ex-inmates’ clubs throughout the country, this was not possible due to COVID-19 restrictions that affected our efforts to mobilise ex-prisoners in other provinces,” explains SANOP Project Manager in Zimbabwe, Esnath Manhiri.
In Zambia
In Zambia, SANOP supported the establishment of several Youth Clubs across the country. In February 2021, two youth clubs were established at SANOPS meetings held in Samfya and Petauke, to better coordinate, engage and share information among the prison population. The meetings were also an opportunity to raise awareness among key stakeholders about the project as well as mobilise juveniles to form clubs in the targeted areas.
Training of Youth Mentors
As part of establishing and strengthening the newly established youth clubs in and out of facilities, SANOP Zambia held training sessions for officers drawn from facilities caring for young people, as well as members of the ex-inmates associations, and the newly formed youth clubs for ex-inmates. The sessions aimed to enhance mentorship skills and coordination among members of the ex-inmates associations and facility officers.
Southern Africa Network of Prisons
Contact Info
Phase 4, Gaborone West, Botswana