Скачать или смотреть Hage gave me freedom, says former life-sentenced inmate

By: Selma Taapopi

A former inmate from the Windhoek Correctional Facility, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, was in disbelief when his application for parole was approved by the late President Hage Geingob back in 2017.

This is after Johannes Skrywer, who was sentenced in 1993 for murder, robbery, and theft at a farm in Okahandja, repeatedly applied for six years to be released, but his applications were unsuccessful.

Skrywer is among 25 life-sentenced inmates on parole released by the late Geingob since 2017.

Tears, disbelief, and being at a loss for words is what Skrywer recalls when he walked out of the high walls and heavily secured Windhoek Correctional Facility on 18 May 2017, this time without being escorted by prison wardens.

Although he finally obtained his freedom, Skrywer had been conditioned to believe that a life-sentenced inmate would never be released on parole.

Today, the almost 56-year-old man is a small-time welder, thanks to the valuable skills he obtained while in prison.

He is trying to get back on his feet, but shares that business is tough. Skrywer has also easily reintegrated into society and started a family of his own.

“When the door is open, I take my things and come outside and stand in the fresh air on my own, my tears running. Seriously, because I did not believe that I’m outside now,” stated an emotional Skrywer while commending the late president for granting him freedom.

Namibian Correctional Service Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela explained that according to the Correctional Service Act, Act number 9 of 2012, every inmate is eligible for parole. Hamunyela added that the late Geingob deserves praise for helping the correctional service ensure that rehabilitation programmes are delivered and that inmates are integrated into society. Of the 25 inmates released on parole, four have passed on, while one is untraceable. The 20 whereabouts are known.

“Since 2017, the late President made a record of releasing 25 life-sentenced inmates on parole. For the first time in the history of our country that such a number of lifers were released on parole,” Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela stated.

In addition, Skrywer extended his condolences to the Geingob family on his passing. Skrywer hopes that future presidents will carry on Geingob’s legacy of giving inmates a second chance in life.

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