Story by Peter Chivhima
The Zimbabwe Prison Correctional Service (ZPCS) is taking steps to improve the welfare of inmates and decongest correctional facilities.
This was revealed by ZPCS Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu in Harare this Monday during an engagement with the visiting Namibian Correctional Service delegation.
The high-powered delegation, led by Deputy Commissioner General Mariana Martin, is in Zimbabwe to share ideas with their ZPCS counterparts.
In an interview with the ZBC News on the sidelines of the engagement, ZPCS Commissioner General Chihobvu revealed they have put in place measures to reduce the country’s prison population and improve the welfare of inmates.
“Then the other thing to be discussed is about the parole system. And in Zimbabwe, the parole system is going to be introduced soon because our Act now will provide that space that we can do the parole system. So you are convinced that they have to be benefited in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner General Martin was impressed by Zimbabwe’s offender management systems.
“We are here to share some insights on how the Namibia Correctional Service conducts its services in offender rehabilitation. In Namibia, we have a nation release board which sees the relenational offenders on parole. So we are here to share notes on that. Also, we want to commend Zimbabwe on steps and strategies on offender management systems,” said General Martin.
Government has approved the new Prisons and Correctional Services Act meant to address some of the challenges faced by the ZPCS.
