Public reacts to proposed reduction of jail sentences

Criminals may soon serve shorter sentences if the bill on the reduction of the jail terms, currently in Parliament, is passed. Toward the end of last month, parliamentarians backed the bill reasoning that it would reduce government spending on inmates, and increase their chances to be rehabilitated. According to the bill, instead of a 15- 20 year sentence, criminals will serve 10-15 years and instead of life, they get , 25 years.The Sunday Times interviewed several members of the public to get their views on this proposal. Edward Munyamariza, who heads the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP) said, “Imprisoning people for so long is not the best way of punishing them, and neither is reducing their punishment. What MPs should come up with, is a way of rehabilitating them effectively, and changing their attitude, regardless of the number of years they serve in jail.” Immaculate Gihozo, a student at Lycee de Kigali, is sceptical about the proposal and insists that certain crimes warranty long sentences. “What does it mean if the punishment given to rapists is reduced? Possibly that would be like encouraging them to harm more people. And what rehabilitation would one expect from someone who killed hundreds of people anyway? I would prefer they increase the sentence instead.” Benoit Joanette who heads an NGO called RNC Justice and Democracy said, “There is a judicial assumption that reducing penalties would help inmates to learn from their punishments better. It will likewise help in the Rwandan context, though there is no study that shows the specific number of years that change the inmates’ behaviour.” Revocat Kabare of the Rwanda Human Rights Commission explained that reducing the sentences would be helpful to both the prisoner and their family. “Even in the justice process, when an inmate behaves, they might have their sentence reduced, so people should not be concerned that this law will undermine their rights. So these people should be brought back into society to continue with life after favourable sentence.” He adds, “Imagine a situation of a kid whose father is sentenced to life imprisonment and must miss him for life; that is abusing the kid’s rights. The family might also experience poor living standards if the day is the bread winner.” Joyeuse G. Akaliza, a clothes trader, said, “I think the current sentences are fair and there is no need to change them. Of course I may be happy if my imprisoned son’s or husband’s sentence is reduced, but what about the other person who was offended?” Clement Mugabo, a resident of Gikondo, in Gasabo district has been imprisoned before. He said, “I was in jail for six months and met people serving about 20 years. But, they have lost hope and can do anything evil. But like me, I have changed because my imprisonment was short.” Ends