Arron Nyamayaro
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) must continue moving away from punitive measures to a correctional way of rehabilitating offenders.
This was said by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister, Nobert Mazungunye, during a tour of Harare Prisons yesterday.
He was accompanied by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Vimbai Nyemba.
“There is need for ZPCS to continue moving away from punitive measures to a correctional aspect,” said Dep Min Mazungunye.
“We have noted with concern the conditions of inmates and challenges being faced by ZPCS in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
“We will take everything we saw to the Ministry for redress.”
ZPCS Commissioner General, Moses Chihobvu, said all female inmates are eligible to be at an open prison.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said inmates on remand will only be left at Chikurubi Female Prison if structures being built at Marondera Female Open Prison are completed.
“We have female inmates accompanied by their babies,” said Comm-Gen Chihobvu.
“The babies are innocent and living in an over crowded prison.
“It is our wish to see the completion of more cells at Marondera Female Open Prison.
“All female inmates qualify to be at an Open prison,” he said.