Staff Reporter
THE Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) is holding a four-day Organisational Structure Review Workshop in Windhoek, aiming to align the NCS structure with the department’s strategy and mandate to ensure that roles and reporting lines fully support the priorities and service delivery needs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela reminded participants that the current organisational structure of the NCS was formally signed into effect by then Home Affairs minister Frans Kapofi in April 2020. It has, therefore, been in force for the past five years, with minor amendments made in 2023 and 2024.
Hamunyela underscored the need for a comprehensive review to ensure that the organisational structure remains responsive to the evolving demands of correctional management.
“By reviewing our structure,” he said, “we aim to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and eliminate duplication, confusion, and gaps.”
According to him, where responsibilities are unclear, performance suffers, and in a correctional environment, delays can compromise both security and service outcomes.
He added that the review will also strengthen coordination and communication.
“Our work is interdependent: security, rehabilitation, education, health, human resources, finance, ICT, planning, and monitoring and evaluation must function as one system,” he said, noting that the workshop is an opportunity to build stronger linkages across all functions.
“Another key objective,” he said, “is to ensure the right capacity and skills mix. Our staffing establishment must reflect workload realities, facility risk profiles, and the competencies required for modern correctional management. Critical functions must be appropriately staffed and supported to meet these demands.”
Hamunyela emphasised that the workshop is not a fault-finding exercise, but rather a process of continuous improvement.
“Our goal is to build a structure that empowers our correctional staff to work better, faster, and with greater accountability, while strengthening the safety and professionalism of the Namibian Correctional Service,” he said.
