Mozambique’s National Penitentiary Service (SERNAP) plans to introduce electronic ankle tagging this year as part of measures to address severe overcrowding across the country’s prison system, with implementation contingent solely on completing the required regulatory framework.
The announcement was made on Monday, 27 January, in Maputo, by SERNAP Director-General David Arsénio Henrique, speaking on the sidelines of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Praça dos Heróis Moçambicanos held to mark the institution’s 51st anniversary.
“The system is already in place. We are currently dealing with a regulatory matter,” Henrique said.
The director-general explained that the current phase involves defining the criteria governing the application of electronic tagging, including which categories of offenders will be eligible and under what circumstances. He indicated that the system is expected to become operational before the end of this year.
Mozambique’s national prison system is currently operating at an occupancy rate of 124%, reflecting a significant overcrowding crisis. Installed capacity stands at approximately 8,000 inmates, while the actual prison population is estimated at around 20,000.
Despite this pressure, SERNAP has been deploying a range of mechanisms to manage the strain on penitentiary facilities, including instruments already provided for under existing legislation that allow for reductions in prison populations.
On the issue of costs, Henrique disclosed that the state spends an average of around 460 meticais per inmate per day on food. A portion of this expenditure is offset by agricultural and productive activities carried out at open prison centres through programmes involving selected inmates.
According to the director-general, these programmes supplement food supply and generate modest revenue, though not all inmates qualify to participate due to specific eligibility criteria. Henrique reiterated that SERNAP’s core mandate remains the rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders, affirming that the institution remains committed to fulfilling that objective.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/28/desenvolvimento-2/servico-nacional-penitenciario-acelera-processo-para-introduzir-pulseira-electronica-ainda-este-ano/
