Dar es Salaam – Tanzania’s Chief Justice has told prison officials to avoid treating accused persons as convicted criminals, emphasising the presumption of innocence during a meeting with senior prison service officials.
Chief Justice George Masaju made the remarks during a September 19, 2025 meeting with prison officials in Dodoma, according to a statement released by the judiciary on September 21. He said courts and accused persons must receive complete evidence in cases to enable proper defence.
“It is not enough to give someone the right to be heard if they do not have information about the charges and evidence against them. They may be given the right to be heard, but it becomes undermined in some way,” Masaju said, according to the statement.
The Chief Justice said some people are treated as criminals before being found guilty, contrary to constitutional provisions that presume innocence until proven guilty in criminal cases.
The meeting addressed various issues affecting cooperation between the judiciary and prison service. Masaju also called for continued collaboration to resolve challenges he identified during a visit to Isanga Prison.
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Commissioner-General of the Tanzania Prison Service Jeremia Yorum Katungu said cooperation between the courts and prisons has reduced complaints from prisoners and remandees regarding legal representation challenges.
The discussion comes as the government implements recommendations from a criminal justice commission established by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in January 2023. The commission examined institutions including the National Prosecution Services, Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, prisons, and Drug Control and Enforcement Authority.
After receiving the commission’s report in July 2023, President Samia established an implementation committee led by former Chief Justice Mohammed Chande Othman. The committee analysed 333 recommendations, categorising them into short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures.
The prison system was identified as one of the key institutions requiring reform, with focus on fairness, efficiency, and human rights in operations.
The Chief Justice’s comments also coincide with ongoing legal proceedings involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges. Lissu’s defence team has raised concerns about his treatment in custody, including limited access to legal counsel and restrictions on religious activities.
During court proceedings, Lissu’s lawyers have alleged that consultations with their client are conducted through glass partitions with telephone communication, monitored by prison guards. They also claimed he was prevented from attending Good Friday prayers whilst other inmates were permitted to do so.
The defence team said prison authorities denied access to a priest who came to conduct Easter Sunday prayers at Lissu’s request. Lead defence attorney Peter Kibatala described the treatment as “brutal” during a May 2025 press conference.
Prison officials have not publicly responded to these specific allegations.
The Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance has previously documented concerns about prison conditions in Tanzania. A 2015 report to the UN Human Rights Council noted overcrowding in prisons and excessive use of force by law enforcement officials amongst various human rights challenges.
The government has set a December deadline for integrating all criminal justice institutions through unified ICT systems as part of the reform process. The national prosecution office has expanded to serve 50 out of 96 districts, with plans to extend services to the remaining 46 districts.
President Samia has emphasised the need for a comprehensive national criminal justice policy, stating this remains a government priority alongside the implementation of commission recommendations.
