Government pledges to improve inmates’ welfare
Story by Aifheli Mudau
GOVERNMENT has pledged to improve the welfare of inmates and the general condition of the country’s prisons.
This came out when the Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Nobert Mazungunye toured prison facilities in Matabeleland South.
The 2024 national budget has seen an increase in funding for the country’s prisons and correctional facilities.
Speaking during a tour of Gwanda Prison this Thursday, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu said the inclusive treasury budget will address the welfare of Prisons and Correctional Services.
“We are happy that the treasury considered us in their budget so that we address the welfare of our officers, especially accommodation,” he said.
Inmates are appreciative of the paradigm shift which has done away with the punitive and retributive approach.
“We want to thank the ministry officials for visiting us and seeing our situation,” said one of the inmates.
Deputy Minister of Justice, legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Advocate Nobert Mazungunye; revealed that the government is working on constructing a new smart prison in Gwanda.
“As a government, we are working on building a smart prison in Gwanda and supporting all projects that improve the welfare of inmates,” he said.
The ZPCS’ correctional approach is meant to find ways of rehabilitating inmates into responsible citizens who will be an asset rather than a burden when they are reintegrated into society.
