adminDaniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
Crime is costing the country heavily as large sums of money are spent taking care of economically inactive offenders in prisons, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has said.
Speaking at a one-day workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO) in Harare on Thursday, ZPCS’s Senior Assistant Commissioner Moses Chihobvu said the economy was bleeding from costs associated with taking care of offenders.
“Nations are victims of offending and reoffending in one way or the other.
“This is true when considering the costs incurred by our governments, and even communities, in maintaining offenders, more so recidivists in prisons or other correctional facilities,” he said.
Senior Asst Comm Chihobvu said part of the money could be used in improving health and other critical services.
“A significant amount of money could have been spent in the provision of health services, safe water and other social services to those who cannot afford the cost of their provision,” he said.
Online Reporter