The Government is reviewing policies and regulations to implement the parole system and establish community correctional centres, as outlined in the new Prisons and Correctional Service Act.
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), is spearheading this initiative to transform the country’s prison system from punishment-focused to rehabilitation and reintegration-focused.
Parole, which is the conditional release of prisoners before completing their sentences, will be governed by the newly established State Parole Board. The board will assess whether inmates meet specific conditions, such as good conduct, self-discipline, and responsibility.
Decisions on early release can also be made by the President, the Commissioner General of Prisons, or the Minister responsible for Prisons and Correctional Services. Released inmates must not pose a risk to society and must show potential to reintegrate as law-abiding citizens.
Speaking at the pass-out parade of correctional officers at Ntabazinduna Training School, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi highlighted the importance of these reforms in addressing overcrowding in prisons. “These programmes are crucial in advancing the reintegration process and reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities,” he said. President Mnangagwa also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting ZPCS in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
