adminBlessings Chidakwa Kadoma Bureau
KADOMA Prison is set to open a shoe manufacturing and tailoring workshop to sew clothes and make shoes for inmates and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) staff. The two projects are part of the rehabilitation initiatives lined up by ZPCS in Mashonaland West province and will benefit at least 600 inmates.
ZPCS provincial assistant public relations manager Mr Emmanuel Kondowe said plans to set up the workshop were at an advanced stage.
Speaking on the sidelines of Apostle Patson Machengete’s belated 40th birthday celebrations held at Kadoma Prison on Saturday, Mr Kondowe said the project will equip inmates with life skills to help them when they are released.
“As a province we are embarking on two major projects including shoe making and tailoring. We hope to open a workshop by year end to support these projects.
We want inmates to manufacture ZPCS uniforms as well as their own attires. Every inmate must do hands-on jobs that will enable them to eke out a living when they are reintegrated into society,” he said.
Mr Kondowe said ZPCS was looking forward to working with partners in the two projects.
The local pastor donated a state-of-the-art sewing machine and groceries for the inmates.
Mr Kondowe hailed the support saying others should also chip in to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates.
“Our production is going to be largely determined by the number of machines we will have. We applaud Apostle Machengete for his timely donation as it will go a long way in assisting the projects which inmates have already started embarking on,” he said.
“We are hoping for business partners and the community at large to continue assisting us with machines so that the vision of empowering inmates is achieved.”
Mr Kondowe said they had prioritised the two projects as they required less capital.
“To manufacture an ordinary sandal requires at least $2 and one can resale it at $5 so this is a viable idea that inmates can rely on even after their release from prisons,” he said.
Apostle Machengete vowed to support the two projects, saying they played a major role in reintegrating inmates into society.
“Each year my birthday celebrations target a group to empower through revealing the love of Christ. One of my first celebrations was at Chinhoyi Prison.
“I lead a group named ‘Taking Advantage of Another Chance’ and our primary goal is to support inmates with skills so that upon release they can be productive,” he said.
Taking Advantage of Another Chance is an advocacy for community inclusion in the rehabilitation of inmates for sustainable reintegration into society.
Apostle Machengete said as part of motivating inmates he had lined up a number of reintegration incentives.
“There is going to be inmates of the month award, TAOC choir competitions with trophy handed on at the finals on prison day,” he said.
Online Reporter