THE Zambia Prisons Service has commended the Drug Enforcement Commission for its continued sensitisation of prisoners over the dangers of drug abuse.

Prisons service public relations officer Doreen Ngoma said in an interview from Kabwe yesterday that the programme had contributed to the reduction of drug abuse in prisons.

Ms Ngoma said the `in-but-free programme' had generally helped to change behaviour of prisoners.

She said the programme which had also been tackling the aspect of health had contributed to the behavioural change because in-mates had realised the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

She said the programmes were on-going as the service's aim was to ensure prisoners were rehabilitated.

Ms Ngoma said clinics in all the prisons had been providing Tuberculosis and anti-retro viral drugs to patients.

She said the 13,500 prisoners countrywide had also shown commitment in agricultural skills, and had been growing enough for both consumption and sale.