Story by Peter Chivhima
THE United Nations has commended Zimbabwe for significant strides in modernising its correctional system, praising the country’s shift from a punitive model towards rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
Mr Philip Meissner, UN Inter-Regional Advisor for Prison and Penal Reform, concluded a five-day visit to various correctional facilities and prison farms across Zimbabwe, noting the progressive approach adopted by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).
“I am pleased to be here in Zimbabwe following an invitation by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Commissioner General. It has been a busy and insightful week visiting various prison facilities and prison farms across the country. I also had the opportunity to tour open prisons, and I am pleased to note that Zimbabwe is taking commendable steps in prison reform.
“The government is clearly shifting from a purely punitive approach to one that focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration. I also noted plans to expand prison facilities to help decongest the current prison population. Additionally, I was impressed to see that Zimbabwe is aligning its legal and correctional framework with international standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules,” he said.
ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu said the organisation is committed to aligning its operations with international standards.
“As the ZPCS, we are ready to modernise our Prisons in line with international practices. So far, we have a number of programmes which we are doing to make sure that we move from punitive incarceration to rehabilitation and smooth reintegration of offenders to society,” he said.
The government has made notable strides towards modernising the prison system, including the introduction of the open prison concept, enhanced skills training for both officers and inmates, and the digitalisation of correctional operations.
