Priscca

We Fight For Justice

Prisons Care & Counselling Association

VISION

“To be a leader of excellence in advocacy and lobbying for the transformation of the criminal justice system in Zambia”

MISSION

TO promote human rights and access to justice for inmates and smooth reintegration of ex-inmates in the communities by providing direct support, advocacy and lobbying for their self-development and socioeconomic benefits

About PRISCCA

Prisons Care & Counselling Association (PRISCCA) was established in 1997 at Kamfinsa State Prison by a group of prisoners led by Godfrey Malembeka, the current Executive Director. The Organisation began operations in the year 2000 and was registered as a non-governmental Organisation in the year 2002. The Organisation’s prime mandate is that of supplementing Government efforts aimed at reforming and rehabilitating inmates and correctional centers. It is a membership-based Organisation whose members include inmates themselves, former inmates, Correctional officers, Paralegals, human rights activists and other professionals. Together, these stakeholders working in partnership form a multi-sectoral response towards uplifting the Correctional community.

PRISCCA holds Annual General Meetings (AGMs) every year, bringing together all stakeholders including inmates and ex-inmates. The AGM is the most important and powerful body of the organisation. The stakeholders who convene for the AGMs are the ultimate decision-makers; they provide the organisation direction in the implementation of various projects. At the AGMs, Board Members are elected for tenure of two years. The Board is comprised of ten members who contribute different expertise and experiences towards the uplifting of inmates and ex-inmates welfare.

How PRISCCA was born

A tapestry of an under privileged society to which many turn a blind eye, this first prisons model to ever tell the story of the inside of the close to 20,000 Zambian prisons community, the flow of events is charted in highlights that are most charming, truthful, tear- appeasing, honest and hilarious. It is one of the most appeasing to appear in the post-independence era.

Dr. Godfrey Malembeka was incarcerated for four years and thereafter initiated the foundation of a lead prisons-based human rights civil society organization. This model, published on funding from OSISA, includes his personal tale, frankly, charmingly and emotionally told. This is an eloquent portrayal
of a little read about community in crisis. The information defiles you to put this model down once you’ve begun reading it!

-Dr. Godfrey Malembeka