Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
MOTHERS serving sentences in prison alongside their minor children experience the weight of a double punishment.
For one, they have to watch their children growing up within prison walls, deprived of a normal childhood.
Some give birth behind bars, while others are incarcerated when their children are still breastfeeding.
The Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) accommodates a unique population — female inmates with their children. Latest statistics show that 44 children are confined with their mothers in prisons across the country.
A visit by a Chronicle news crew to Mlondolozi Special Institute within Khami Prison Complex on the outskirts of Bulawayo, offered a glimpse into this world.
Mildred Gova, 30, is one such mother. She was sentenced to two years and eight months for malicious damage to property in February last year.
Gova initially found herself incarcerated with her two children. The youngest was just four months old at the time. Now, one year and four months into her sentence, Gova’s son is one year and eight months old.
His childhood is unfolding within the prison walls, and spends time innocently playing in the prison’s courtyard.
“The house I was renting was gutted by fire following an LP gas explosion when I was cooking. I wasn’t having problems with the landlord, but when the fire broke out, I escaped with my child. The landlord said he wanted his house, and demanded US$240 000. Because I didn’t have that kind of money, I chose to do time,” said Gova.
“When I initially came here, I had two children, but the older one was taken by her father and this one was four months old and I was still breastfeeding him.”
Gova said her family situation forced her to go to prison with her children.
It’s heart-breaking to watch her young son growing up in prison. “No child deserves to be here. This is total abuse. I’m sorry to use that word. A child who is supposed to be at pre-school only knows these pink uniforms and guards, and nothing much. They are going to be afraid of cars because they have never seen them. That really affects children psychologically.
“Families should help take care of children when their mothers are arrested. A child should not suffer because of my sins. I should be able to serve my sentence without my child being punished too. It feels like I’m serving a double sentence seeing my child here,” said Gova.
She is worried about the impact of the prison environment on her child, as there’s no privacy. She says ZPCS tried to engage her family to take the child to no avail.
“I have communicated with them to come and collect him, but they have not been forthcoming. It’s now two months since they said they are coming. I don’t know what is going on out there as I’m behind bars. This place has adults. We use adult language and at the end of the day the child learns some of these habits,” said Gova.
Despite the hardships, Gova finds consolation in having her child by her side. She said that she had gained a whole new family in prison, glancing towards other inmates who were playing with her son. Other prisoners have become grannies and aunties to her son.
“Actually I thank these ladies because my son is safe; he has found another mother and aunties. Of course, we make mistakes and are not perfect, otherwise these people are very nice as they look after my child. He is safe and this is like home away from home,” she said.
Gova had no idea there were female jails until she was incarcerated. However, her prison experience has taught her that nothing is impossible in life.
“I never knew that there was a female prison and only got to know it when I was arrested. I was shocked to find out that there are so many women in prison. I learnt not to judge other people because we never know our destiny,” she said.
“In life, anything can happen and maybe I was meant to be here for the next two years. Maybe God is protecting me from something out there which is even worse, so I have just accepted it.”
She now assumes a crucial role in providing care to another prisoner.
Trish Ndlovu (23) is in remand prison for allegedly killing her lover. Ndlovu gave birth in April while in prison, but her problems are worse.
She is a first-time mother who is unable to properly care for her child since she lives in an unconducive environment.
“I fought with my husband and in the process he died. I was six months pregnant then and I was arrested in December.
“I delivered my baby here in prison. It’s tough being a jailed mother. There are so many things that we face, and there are different characters in here.
“I wish I could provide for my child, but I’m unable to since I am behind bars. While ZPCS provides some of the items that I need for my child, it’s not enough. I need clothing for the baby, even a bucket to use while in here because sometimes there won’t be water,” said Ndlovu.
Her only family are other prisoners, as she receives no assistance from her relatives.
According to Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi, ZPCS national spokesperson, the jail system takes care of nursing children until they are weaned off under rules set forth by the Health and Child Care Ministry.
“When they are weaned off, we engage the families to collect the minor. But sometimes we encounter challenges as families are not supportive of inmates. Some of them do not even visit the inmates.
“We have also realised that imprisoned women do not get support from their husbands and it is one of the biggest challenges,” said Ass-Comm Khanyezi.
She said for prisoners to maintain contact with their families, the public should make use of the various reintegration initiatives that correctional service offers. – @nqotshili.
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