11 kids languish in Kamfinsa Correctional Facility

SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes@SunZambianKAMFINSA Correctional Facility in Kitwe has recorded an increase in the number of circumstantial children.According to the information obtained by the Daily Nation, the number of children has increased from six to 11 between June and September, this year.Circumstantial children are those who get to correctional facilities along with parents, who have been jailed such as those still breast-feeding, toddlers and others who could have no one else to look after them other than mothers serving their sentences.The Zambia Correctional Services has since called on well-wishers to help the children with balanced diet for the children at Kamfinsa where the youngest circumstantial child is one month and the eldest six years.This came to light when National Development Planning Minister, Alexander Chiteme, visited the facility at the weekend.“We find it difficult to offer a balanced diet to the children who only feed on what their mothers eat,” Kamfinsa correctional service female section Officer in Charge Mable Himoonga said.Ms Himoonga said that the children needed food stuffs such as soya porridge, milk and groundnuts so that they could eat what other children eat outside.She said that despite social distancing being a challenge due to overcrowding, the facility had not recorded any case of Covid-19.Kamfinsa correctional facility is currently hosting not less than 2, 500 inmates.And responding to the appeal, Mr Chiteme who is also Nkana Member of Parliament donated K5, 000 to the female facility for the upkeep of circumstantial children.Mr Chiteme called on other stakeholders especially the church to come to the aid of the mothers and children at the facilities. The Sun