Story by Oleen Ndori
THE launch of the Pathways to Reintegration Foundation (PAREF) is expected to positively influence the rehabilitation of inmates and former inmates nationwide.
Tasked with the rehabilitation of inmates and former inmates, PAREF seeks to avoid writing people off based on their past, but to reintegrate them back into society with skills, education, and mental health support.
“Today is not merely the launch of an institution, it is the affirmation of a national conviction that every Zimbabwean, regardless of past mistakes, deserves the opportunity to rebuild, restore dignity, and contribute meaningfully to society. Ladies and gentlemen, at the outset, allow me to express our deepest gratitude to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr. Mnangagwa, whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusive national development created the enabling environment for the establishment of PAREF. His Excellency has consistently championed a governance philosophy that leaves no one and no community behind,” Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi said.
“As the ministry responsible for youth empowerment, development, and vocational training, we strongly believe that empowerment is one of the greatest tools for transformation. A society that gives young people skills gives them dignity, purpose, and hope,” Minister of Youth, Vocational Training Centres Training Honourable Tino Machakaire said.
According to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Commissioner General, Dr Moses Chihobvu, and the PAREF Board Chairperson, Dr Rutendo Mudzamiri, the initiative speaks directly to the ZPCS vision to move from punitive to corrective action and reintegration of former inmates.
“Today’s event represents a clear policy direction by government which reaffirms that justice should extend beyond punishment and that correctional services should ultimately restore hope, dignity and purpose,” he said.
“A criminal record should not permanently erase a person’s dignity, humanity, or future potential because people can change, and when rehabilitation is supported with opportunity, with mentorship and community acceptance, transformation becomes possible, and this is what PAREF is all about,” Dr Rutendo Mudzamiri said.
According to the ZPCS, PAREF seeks to address challenges affecting successful reintegration, including stigma, inadequate funding, and policy gaps.
Pledges exceeding US$100 000 were made in celebration of the launch of the foundation.
