Chronicle Editor
Yoliswa Dube-Moyo, Mat South Bureau Chief
The iron bars, cement walls and windows at Gwanda Prison could not hold back the loud Amapiano music that blurred through the speakers at the prison last week.
The music, which is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterised by synths, airy pads and wide percussive basslines is the kind that would lift any heavy-laden spirit.
While the usual security checks were done on arrival at the prison, the general mood was different.
It was neither dark nor gloomy but one that would inspire hope and the zeal to dream again.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) reintroduced family week as part of efforts to successfully reintegrate incarcerated inmates into society.
Family week had been suspended due to the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic but made a return from April 15 to April 19 in all prisons across the country.
At Gwanda Prison last week, inmates enjoyed five days of good music, braaied meat, entertainment from local artists and unrestricted visits from their loved ones.
“We’ve had a really lovely experience and I can’t begin to explain to you how beautiful it has been to have multiple friends and family members coming to visit. We’ve had the opportunity to share meals and have conversations about what is happening on the outside,” said Thamsanqa Thebe, an inmate at the prison.
Thebe, who is serving a 12-month sentence for theft, said family week had given him an opportunity to make amends with his family.
“We’ve had a chance to talk and share our feelings and I’m positive that by the time I’m released from prison, relations with my family would’ve mended,” he said.
The DJ for the afternoon, Mbongeni Ncube, an inmate convicted on a robbery charge said being in prison had been a wake-up call for him.
“Being in prison has made me realise how deeply I wronged those I robbed. It has opened my eyes to other opportunities to earn a living outside of crime. As you can see, everyone is in a good mood which is also uplifting to us and a good break from our usual routine,” he said.
Ncube was sentenced to 36 months in prison and his sentence expires in 12 months’ time.
He said he was optimistic about the future and looked forward to life after prison.
An important aspect of family week is to allow inmates and their friends and relatives to converse and share meals in an uncontrolled environment.
Ms Anatolia Dube, whose brother is incarcerated, said she was grateful for the opportunity to check up on him.
“You know when someone is in prison, you can’t help wondering about them. What they could be doing, if they’re eating well or where they’re sleeping. You worry because you don’t get to see or talk to them as often as you would like. As much as there have been provisions to make phone calls, it is not the same as seeing someone in person,” said Ms Dube.
She said having the opportunity to visit her brother in prison had allayed the fears she had.
Gwanda Prison officer in charge Superintendent Ishmael Madzimbamuto said community involvement is key in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates back into society.
“We’re not here to punish anyone, we’re here to correct. The rehabilitation process involves a lot of processes including counselling and equipping inmates for life after prison with the hope that they don’t commit other crimes upon release,” said Supt. Madzimbamuto.
He said inmates are trained in various skills including agriculture, mechanics and welding among others.
“With some, they would not have had the opportunity or funding to learn while still on the outside. We also have inmates doing vocational programmes such as welding at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic. When they’re done, they’re given certificates so that they can look for employment when they’re released,” said Supt. Madzimbamuto.
He said when inmates get visitors, that was the beginning of the healing process.
“Remember some of our inmates would’ve wronged their friends and relatives and so when you see the person you wronged visiting you in prison, that is the beginning of the healing process. Of course, some will have questions to ask but the fact that they’re forthcoming is a step in the right direction,” said Supt. Madzimbamuto.
He said family week was also an opportunity for the business community to visit their prisons and identify needs that may need to be addressed.
“Some businesses would want to be involved in the work we do here but there’s no way they can know what our needs are if they don’t visit us. This is also an opportunity for them to come and see what prison is like and identify areas where they can partner with us,” said Supt. Madzimbamuto.
– @Yolisswa
Online Reporter