The ManicaPost
Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
PRISONS in Manicaland Province have this year recorded more visitors to inmates during the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) family week than last year.
ZPCS on Monday opened doors to the public to visit jailed relatives and friends during the week-long interaction programme with Mutare Farm Prison expected to receive double the number of visitors compared to last year.
Principal correctional officer for Manicaland, Mr Liberty Mhlanga said the programme was meant to improve the rehabilitation of offenders and facilitate their re-integration into the society.
“The programme started well and has recorded a high turn-out so far compared to last year when it started,” he said.
Mr Mhlanga said as ZPCS they had suspended all external jobs that were being undertaken by inmates to increase interaction.
He said there was also increased numbers of churches and other organisations that were visiting inmates.
“Inmates are really happy as they have time to interact with relatives. Others got time to solve problems at home and receive current news on events unfolding outside the prison. We could see others playing with their children and spouses,” he said.
The programme runs until August 19 this year.
Mr Mhlanga said security regulations were minimised to allow maximum interaction between inmates and their relatives.
“As you might be aware visits to prisons are usually regulated taking cognisance of the security risk that inmates pose. During the Family Week, regulations are somewhat relaxed to enable everyone to be visited in the spirit of promoting increased interaction between offenders and society. Usual security measures shall of course be exercised,” he said.
Mr Mhlanga encouraged members of the society, stakeholders and relatives of inmates to take advantage of the programme and share food and other societal issues with them.
He thanked various organisations for the support extended to ZPCS reminding them that there were special groups and institutions in prisons that still needed their recognition.
