UNAFRI Meets PACEM Havens Foundation to Strengthen Ex-Prisoner Rehabilitation & Reintegration

On November 3rd, the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI), led by Director General Dr. Edouard KITIO, had the honor of hosting Hon. Chris Rwakasisi, Chairperson of the PACEM HAVENS FOUNDATION. The foundation, a non-governmental organization founded by individuals formerly on death row, is dedicated to helping with the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-prisoners into society. During the meeting, the delegation discussed with UNAFRI several topics, including post-release offender support, the development and management of halfway homes, and the wider use of restorative justice approaches.

Further deliberations focused on the rehabilitation and transformation of ex-inmates, strategies to reduce recidivism, and the complex challenges those former prisoners often face when trying to reintegrate into their communities. Both organizations acknowledged the ongoing difficulties related to accessing essential services, such as finding employment, reconnecting with families, and overcoming the stigma linked to incarceration. In response to these issues, UNAFRI and the PACEM HAVENS FOUNDATION agreed to collaborate on initiatives involving training, research, and targeted support for current and former offenders. The partnership aims to promote meaningful change within the criminal justice system, ensuring that offenders have real opportunities for rehabilitation and successful reintegration, while also advocating for fairness and justice within the legal framework.