Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
THE Parole system is expected to reduce prison population with more than 25 000 inmates currently housed in prisons country wide, a prisons boss has said.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu said this on Friday at the Friends of the Commissioner-General Dinner in Harare.
He said two major institutional reforms, the re-establishment of the Parole System and the formation of the Pathways to Reintegration Foundation (PAREF) were approved by Cabinet, marking a milestone not only for ZPCS but for the nation as a whole.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said a continental conference for the parole system is at an advanced stage expected to be held in Harare next month.
“Your presence is a clear demonstration of your commitment to the transformation of our correctional system and to the broader national development agenda under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa.
“Tonight’s gathering comes at a time of great significance for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), as we take bold and progressive steps towards aligning our operations with international standards, our constitutional mandate, the Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and Vision 2030.
“The vision which aspires to make Zimbabwe an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society whilst leaving no one and no place behind.
“The Parole System represents a strategic shift in our correctional practices.
“While previous systems were limited in scope, the new framework provides a structured, supervised early-release mechanism for deserving inmates.
“This approach supports the reintegration of reformed individuals into society while maintaining public safety and decongesting correctional facilities, which currently house over 25 000 inmates,” said Comm-Gen Chihobvu.
He acknowledged the contributions of regional counterparts, in particular the Namibia Correctional Service, Zambia Correctional Service and the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa, whose experiences have informed their approach.
“In recognition of the importance of this initiative, ZPCS intends to host the inaugural Parole Conference during the first week of December 2025.
“This conference, which was approved by Cabinet, will bring together correctional leaders and experts from across Africa to share best practices and experiences, guiding the technical and vocational skills training.
“Entrepreneurship and life skills development, employment placement and livelihood support.
“Community education to reduce stigma and strengthen acceptance.
“We place intentional focus on women, juveniles, persons living with disabilities, and individuals needing mental health intervention, because true rehabilitation must be humane, inclusive, and deeply people-centered,” said Comm-Gen Chihobvu.
He said their goal is not only to prepare inmates for release.
“It is to prepare families, workplaces, and communities to receive them with dignity. Because reintegration is not an event. It is a journey.
“A journey we must walk together.
“A call to partnership,” he said.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said PAREF will be sustained through strong partnerships with government institutions, private sector players, civic organisations, faith-based groups, and individuals who understand that the strength of a nation is measured not only by how it punishes – but by how it restores.
“This is not a call for charity.
“This is a call for collaboration.
“For aligned purpose.
“For shared responsibility in building safer and stronger communities.
“I am pleased to share that several stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, have already expressed readiness to work with PAREF,” said Comm-Gen Chihobvu.
