Interview
Evariste Murenzi
Commissioner General, Rwanda Correctional Service
into society. From managing overcrowding challenges to implementing community service penalties and advancing vocational training, RCS continues to evolve its approach to correctional services.
What are the main priorities of Rwanda’s Correctional Service?
EM: Our main priorities are clear and aligned with both national and international standards for correctional services.
There is a focus on that decisions regarding provisional detention or terms of imprisonment are enforced in compliance with the law. Ensuring the respect for the rights and security of incarcerated individuals is a fundamental priority for the Service.
Equally important is the development and implementation of social reintegration programmes for those serving terms of imprisonment, aimed at preparing them for productive lives after their release. We
prioritise thorough assessments of the programmes needed by each individual, taking into account the duration of their sentence, their behaviour, and the nature of the offense they committed.
For these priorities to be effectively achieved, it is essential to ensure the quality of our services while fostering the development of skills and enhancing the capacity of our officers. Training and professional
growth are vital to ensuring that our team can meet the challenges of correctional service successfully.
Furthermore, we actively seek to collaborate and cooperate with other regional and international bodies that share a similar mission, fostering partnerships that strengthen our efforts and bring in best practices from around the world.
Our key focus is the prevention of recidivism, which is supported through various rehabilitation programmes that equip incarcerated persons with valuable skills during their time in correctional facilities.
JT: According to Rwanda’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) latest report (2022/2023), the prison occupancy rate has been rising in the country, reaching an average of over 140% across correctional facilities.
What are RCS’s focus to revert this situation and to mitigate overcrowding?
EM: Despite the ongoing efforts for RCS to continue achieving all its objectives and duties, there are some outstanding challenges demanding great attention. These include addressing overcrowding and enhancing rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
In response to the challenge of overcrowding and the need to ensure timely and quality justice, key reforms in the correctional system have been introduced to address these issues, such as plea bargaining, the introduction of E-Courts, and the use of conditional release programmes. The introduction of the community service penalty will also play a significant role in supporting the successful reintegration of convicted persons while also addressing overcrowding. Under this initiative, some individuals will serve their sentences from home, while others will stay in designated facilities, gaining valuable skills and contribute to services of public or community interest.
However, our key focus is the prevention of recidivism, which is supported through various rehabilitation programmes that equip incarcerated persons with valuable skills during their time in correctional facilities. These programmes are designed to ensure that, upon release, individuals can compete effectively in the community, reducing the likelihood of reoffending. This approach aligns closely with RCS’s mission, which prioritises rehabilitation over punishment, underscoring a commitment to fostering a way towards effective reintegration.
To further this effort, RCS has established Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres within correctional facilities. Here, incarcerated individuals receive training in various trades under the supervision and certification of the Ministry of Education through the Rwanda TVET Board. Additionally, these TVET centres provide opportunities to engage in informal education programmes. These initiatives aim to provide market-oriented skills, facilitating successful reintegration into society.
Additionally, we are committed to the expansion, rehabilitation, and maintenance of correctional facility infrastructure to improve living conditions and ensure higher standards of care.
The introduction of Halfway Social Reintegration Centres in particular, will promote effective reintegration as well as serving as an alternative to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities.
These centres will focus on individuals who have between 6 to 12 months remaining in their sentences, bringing them closer to their families to foster family connections and stability.
Residents will have opportunities to visit their families and vice versa, explore job opportunities, and acquire entrepreneurship skills to support their reintegration and foster self-employment.
JT: RCS has made significant investments in modernising facilities and incorporating technology.
How do you see technology shaping the future of Rwanda’s correctional services, and what are the most significant long-term benefits you expect from these advancements?
EM: Technology has introduced transformative benefits in correctional services and justice, improving efficiency, security, rehabilitation efforts, and overall system effectiveness.
In terms of security, RCS has integrated AI-powered surveillance systems, including cameras and sensors, to monitor activities within correctional facilities. These tools can detect unusual behaviours or
incidents in real time, reducing security risks and easing the workload on correctional staff.
Offender management has also been revolutionised using electronic case management systems. Centralised databases integrated with the judicial sector enable RCS to maintain accurate, up-to-date records of those in custody, ensuring the information is easily accessible and reducing errors caused by manual data handling. This streamlines workflows related to admissions, transfers, court appearances, and release dates.
The introduction of predictive analytics further supports the efficient management of resources, helping RCS forecast population trends and allocate resources effectively to meet anticipated needs.
Technology also has an important role to play in the legal and judicial processes. Digital case management systems, such as electronic case filing, reduce paperwork and ensure timely access to legal documents, and video conference enables virtual court appearances that avoid delays in court proceedings.
With rehabilitation and education as key focus areas for RCS, and technology has been instrumental in supporting these efforts. Virtual learning platforms have been introduced, providing incarcerated persons with access to educational materials, certifications, and vocational training. Juvenile facilities have benefitted from smart classrooms, which create modern, technology-driven learning environments.
RCS has also prioritised enhancing communication between those in custody and their families. The adoption of video calling and secure messaging systems allows them to stay connected with approved contacts. These interactions play a critical role in boosting morale, supporting mental health, and preparing convicted persons for reintegration into the community after release.
Lastly, it’s safe to say that all these advantages contribute to reduce operational costs, since automation and streamlined processes reduce the need for paper-based systems, minimising costs associated with supplies and administrative tasks. Additionally, automated reporting features improve transparency and accountability, ensuring facilities comply with regulatory standards and best practices.
In the long run, I truly believe technology will shape the future of correctional services in Rwanda for the better. Our goal is to harness these advances to maintain secure environments, enhance data-driven decision making, and ultimately contribute to a justice system that is fairer and more effective.
How important is international cooperation and knowledge sharing to achieve RCS’s goals?
EM: Being a member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the African Corrections Services Association (ACSA) in the East African Region significantly advances our mission and objectives. By engaging with these organisations, we gain access to shared best practices and insights into common challenges faced by practitioners in corrections.
Through these partnerships, we acquire knowledge and skills related to technological innovations in the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community. These insights contribute to advancing RCS’s mandate of supporting incarcerated persons’ successful transition into society as law-abiding citizens.
RCS’s staff and officials themselves see great benefits from international and regional collaboration, particularly through engagements and conferences with ICPA and ACSA. These opportunities allow them to connect with experts and highly experienced professionals in the Criminal Justice and Correctional fields. Such interactions strengthen their professional knowledge and enhance their capacity to effectively carry out their responsibilities in the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals.
CGP Evariste Murenzi
Commissioner General, Rwanda Correctional Service
CGP Evariste Murenzi is the Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service and ACSA Regional Vice Chair for East Africa. During his career with the Rwanda Defence Forces, Murenzi has held key leadership roles, including Brigade Commander, Commander of the Task Force Division, and Commander of the 5th Division. He has extensive peacekeeping experience, serving as Senior Staff Officer at UNAMID MHQ, ACIRC Force Commander, MISCA Force Chief of Staff, and West Sector Commander in MINUSCA, and has completed advanced military training in the USA, China, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt. CGP Murenzi holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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