LACK of proper procedures to handle inmates on death row in the country is weighing heavily on the Prisons Department budget and adding to the problem of congestion.

The inmates who are waiting to be executed live in agony and despair of not knowing when the hangman will arrive, as a result if their demands are not met, they go on riot, placing the lives of those guarding them and other prisoners in danger.

In his presentation on Overview of Tanzania Prison Services, positive development, challenges and prospects in management of prisoners under death sentence, Prison Officer Mr Dominic Mshana said the delays in execution of the inmates have resulted in unnecessary congestion in the prison cells since they cannot be mixed with the other prisoners.

He explained that the last execution took place in 1994, adding that those waiting to be executed live in agony, resulting in agitations and inmates making demands that if not met, riots would erupt in prisons.

Mr Mshana said the increasing number of inmates on death row is also weighing heavily on the prisons finances since they are not allocated any budget for their upkeep.

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Source: allAfrica.com, April 3, 2014