Prisoners in Botswana now have access to the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Hope Channel because of a partnership between the television network and the nation's Ministry of Home and Labour Affairs.

The ministry has welcomed the church's participation in the rehabilitation of inmates in the country's 23 prisons, church leaders said.

Minister Peter Siele recently thanked the Adventist Church for its donation of television screens and satellite receivers and commended the church for its development of health and educational programming, church leaders said.

Paminus Machamire, president of the Adventist Church in Botswana, said the gesture was an effort to help rehabilitate prisoners.

"It is our desire and duty to see all prisoners touched by the love of God and come out of prison changed men and women who can contribute to society positively," Machamire said.

The Hope Channel is an international Christian television network featuring programs on family life, health, music, youth and character building.