Prisoners will participate in social work in the municipality of Maputo

The initiative stems from a memorandum between the Maputo Municipal Council and SERNAP and covers citizens sentenced to prison terms of up to three years.

The Maputo City Council will now include prisoners in activities of social interest, following a memorandum of understanding signed with the National Penitentiary Service (SERNAP).

The agreement, signed between the two institutions, establishes mechanisms to allow certain inmates to participate in activities promoted by the municipality, as part of the preparation for their return to society.

According to the terms of the memorandum, the initiative may cover prisoners serving prison sentences of no more than three years, provided they meet the criteria established by the competent authorities.

Participation will be unpaid, with the work falling under the category of activities of social interest and not a conventional employment relationship.

The president of the Maputo City Council, Rasaque Manhique, argues that the initiative could play an important role in the social reintegration process of prisoners.

According to the official, participation in public service activities can help inmates develop skills, a sense of responsibility, and work habits, contributing to a more prepared transition to life in freedom.

In addition to directly benefiting the participants, the initiative aims to contribute to the realization of activities of collective interest in the city, bringing inmates closer to the community and creating opportunities for them to contribute positively to society.

This measure is part of a reintegration perspective that seeks to go beyond simply serving a sentence, also focusing on preparing the inmate to face the challenges they may encounter after their release.

The Municipality of Maputo and SERNAP (National Service for Public Administration) will coordinate the selection and monitoring of participants, in order to ensure that the activities are carried out in accordance with the established standards and under appropriate conditions.

With this memorandum, the two institutions seek to strengthen the social component of the prison system, creating opportunities for inmates to gain experiences that can be useful in the process of reintegration into the community.

The initiative thus represents a commitment to rehabilitation, responsibility and social reintegration, while also allowing inmates to participate in activities that can benefit the city of Maputo and its population.