Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S prison population has risen to 25 990 by the end of the second quarter of 2026, up from 24 072 in the first quarter, with unsentenced inmates accounting for more than three-quarters of new admissions during the period.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) Second Quarter Prison Admissions and Discharges Statistics Report, the prison population comprised 25 057 males and 933 females as at June 26.
Males accounted for 96,4 percent of the prison population, while females constituted 3,6 percent. The national imprisonment rate stood at 161 prisoners per 100 000 people, with the male imprisonment rate at 323 per 100 000 compared to 11 per 100 000 for females.
Of the total prison population, 22 008 inmates, representing 84,7 percent has been sentenced, while 3 982 (15,3 percent) were unsentenced.
The unsentenced population declined from 4 503 in the first quarter to 3 982 in the second quarter, while the sentenced population increased from 19 569 to 22 008.
ZimStat said 16 146 new prisoners were admitted during the quarter, comprising 14 913 males and 1 233 females.
Of the new admissions, 75,9 percent of males and 77,8 percent of females were unsentenced.
“Unsentenced prisoners are those who were awaiting trial and those who were waiting to receive their sentences,” read the report.
“These prisoners were admitted from outside the prison system and were remanded in custody as they waited for their trial and sentences.”
A total of 14 133 prisoners were discharged during the quarter, including 12 984 males and 1 149 females.
Of these, 8 587 were sentenced prisoners while 5 546 were unsentenced.
Among sentenced inmates, 29,5 percent were released after completing their sentences, 27,5 percent received community service sentences, 16,4 percent were given time to pay fines or restitution, while 12,3 percent paid fines.
For unsentenced prisoners, 46,4 percent were granted bail, 18,5 percent were acquitted, 12,1 percent had their cases withdrawn, and 8,1 percent were remanded out of custody.
Assault was the leading offence among new admissions, accounting for 4 340 cases, followed by theft with 3 589, burglary with 1 419, unlawful acts involving controlled drugs or precursors with 1 101 and robbery without a firearm with 1 037.
The 25–29 age group accounted for the largest proportion of new admissions, followed by those aged between 20 and 24.
ZimStat Director-General Mrs Tafadzwa Bandama said prison statistics were important for criminal justice policy and planning.
“Prison statistics help to inform policy development and planning in the Criminal Justice System,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services operates 51 main prisons and 29 satellite prisons countrywide.
