The Minister of Internal Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta, called on leaders of the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) to put more effort into developing the institution’s infrastructure, including unused land.
He made the remarks on July 25, 2026, while officially closing a three-day retreat for senior RCS leaders held at the Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District.
Retreat Focuses on Leadership and Institutional Progress
The retreat aimed to reflect on the responsibilities of leaders, their journey, achievements, remaining challenges, and the vision to continue delivering effective correctional services.
During the retreat, 12 different topics were discussed and 48 resolutions adopted to further improve the institution’s performance.
Minister Commends Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation Efforts
Dr. Biruta praised RCS leadership for progress made, including reforms in prisons that prioritize human rights and rehabilitation over punishment. He also commended efforts to build and renovate prisons nationwide, which increased inmate accommodation capacity.
He highlighted the significant steps taken in vocational and technical training within prisons, which help inmates acquire skills for reintegration: “Vocational skills are essential in reducing recidivism because they give released individuals opportunities to create jobs or find employment.”
Call to Develop Idle Land and Strengthen Self-Reliance
However, he stressed that more effort is needed to maximize productivity from RCS infrastructure: “I believe we have not yet fully tapped into productivity. We must discuss and find ways to improve this, since RCS has land across the country.”
He urged leaders to focus on self-reliance in their resolutions, ensuring that RCS infrastructure generates tangible results: “We must establish a concrete plan, assign responsibilities, set timelines, and review progress quarterly, so that by the next retreat we can assess where we stand.”
Senior Prison Officials Attend Three-Day Retreat
The three-day retreat brought together prison directors from across Rwanda, heads of various RCS departments, and officials from the institution’s headquarters.
