adminend up in prison someday for various offences.
Addressing delegates to the Zimbabwe Prison Services fund-raising dinner for the commemoration of Africa Prisoners Day in Harare on Friday, Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa said everyone was a potential prisoner.
“It is very important that people realise that they are all potential prisoners and they must ensure that their meaningful contributions towards the rehabilitation of prisons will make their life easy when jailed.
“We commit various offences as we go about our daily businesses and it does not mean we are clever when we are not arrested, besides many households have a relative in prison thus your donations will uplift their lives,” he said.
Government, Minister Chinamasa, was committed in the rehabilitation of prisoners
He said that rehabilitation programmes were a key factor to the preparation and successful reintegration of offenders into the society.
“My ministry shall always put emphasis on rehabilitation, as it is one good clear policy initiative that if implemented, helps offenders become sufficiently equipped with skills and knowledge to live-abiding citizens upon their release from prisons.
“For all these programmes to be effectively implemented, the Zimbabwe Prison Services needs our support in all its various forms.
“This occasion will also give opportunity for public, civic organisations and various stakeholders to interact with prisoners as well as gaining an insight into the work of ZPS related to rehabilitation of prisoners,” he said.
Commissioner of Prisons Retired Major General Paradzai Zimondi said the Zimbabwe Prison Services did not exist in isolation hence rehabilitation programmes and their social concerns would no doubt mark the first step of their successful reintegration back into the communities they came from.
At least US$40 000 was raised at the fundraising dinner that was attended by various stakeholders including Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga and his wife Jocelyn, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri attended the event.
Stakeholders from the business fraternity who also do business with ZPS attended the event in their numbers.
Africa Prisons Day is commemorated annually by all African states affiliated to the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA).
It was launched on September 26 2008 and this is a day when the African continent appreciates the existence and the great contribution by prisons and Correctional Services in observance of humane, safe and treatment of offenders among others.
Online Reporter