GOV.BW

Family members and friends of prisoners are permitted to communicate with prisoners through letters. All letters are censored with the exception to letters to the Ombudsman. All letters are recorded in prisoners' files.

Short term prisoners (those sentenced to six (6) months or less) are allowed to write and receive one (1) letter every four (4) weeks. Long term prisoners (those sentenced to six (6) months or more) are able to write and receive one (1) letter once every three (3) weeks. Remand prisoners have no restriction on the number of letters they may write or receive.

A prisoner is entitled to write and receive one additional letter above their regular allotment upon:

• Admission to prison
• Transfer to another prison
• Death or serious illness of a near relative (parents, siblings or children)
• A family issue of an urgent nature
• For the arrangement of employment or assistance upon release

Letter to Ombudsman:
Prisoners are allowed to write a petition letter to the Ombudsman and this letter is not censored.

Normal Visits:
Convicted prisoners are entitled to the following frequency and duration of visits by friends and family:

• Frequency: One (1) visit every four(4) weeks.
• Duration: 20 minutes.
• Maximum number of persons visiting: Three(3).

Remand prisoners are entitled to the following frequency and duration of visits by friends and family:

• Frequency: Daily.
• Duration: 20 minutes.
• Maximum number of persons visiting: Three(3).

Additional Visits:
In addition to the normal visits outlined above, prisoners are allowed one(1) additional visit for each of the situations listed below:

• Upon initial admission to prison, prisoners are allowed a visit of 15 minute duration, with a maximum of three (3) persons.
• Upon transfer of a prisoner to and from another prison.
•  A prisoner convicted due to defaulting on payments in a legal agreement may be allowed a visit anytime during working hours only for the purpose of providing payment to the rightful debtor.
• Death or serious illness of a near relative (parents, siblings or children).
• A family issue of an urgent nature.
• For the arrangement of employment or assistance upon release.

Other Visits:
In addition to the above, visitors are permitted visitation for the following situations;

• To conduct religious services and instructions.
• To address the educational needs of prisoner(s) by lecturers and teachers from different institutions of learning.
• Persons appointed by the Commissioner for visiting prisoners regularly.
• The legal practitioner may see a prisoner concerning any legal business.
• Diplomatic Representatives of the country of origin of a prisoner may be allowed to see a prisoner concerning the business of repatriation to the prisoner's country of origin.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is allowed to conduct investigative visits to prisoners of interest to the ICRC.
• The Mental Health Board assesses conditions for inmates with mental health conditions.

Other Prison Visitors:

Visiting Committee:

Each prison is assigned a Visiting Committee which is appointed by the Minister responsible for prisons. The committee is meant to visit the prison at least every three (3) months in order to make recommendations to the Commissioner or Officer in Charge on matters relating to good order and discipline and efficient management of the prison and treatment of prisoners.

Official Visitors:
Judges and Magistrates are appointed as official visitors to prisons. On such visits they may:

• Inspect records relating to the management and discipline of the prison.
• Inspect and test the quality and quantity of the prisoners' food.
• Enquire into any complaint or request made by prisoners.

In addition to the above, the Ombudsman is allowed to conduct periodic visits to prisons to:

        Educate prisoners on the mandate of the Ombudsman.

Procedure for visiting prisoners:
Visitors are required to follow the procedure outlined below for each visit to prisoners:

• Visitors must register at the prison entrance (See documentation required, below).
• Prison staff must inspect any personal property to be handed to a prisoner.
• Endorse the personal identification and addresses.
• Visiting procedures and rules are then explained to the visitor.
• Visitors are then allowed into a visiting room to meet with the prisoner.

Any visitor may be searched at the discretion of Prison staff.

Documentation required:
In order to visit a prisoner, visitors must present:

 A valid copy of:

• National Identification card (Omang) for residents OR
• Passport for non-citizens.

NB: Cell Phones are not allowed inside prison.

The Botswana Prison Service Band provides music at official/ceremonial functions, public and private events, as well as for functions and activities related to the Botswana Prison Service. The band is available for hire at functions for all organisations.

As part of the prisoners' rehabilitation programme in Botswana, prisoners produce bricks and blocks for purchase by the general public.

As part of prisoners' rehabilitation program in Botswana, prisoners are taught skills in various trades, they also manufacture various items according to customers' specifications at prison workshops and perform repair work.

Table 1: Vocations by Prison: