Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has embarked on a decisive shift towards strengthening its parole system, translating insights from a recent regional Parole Conference into concrete action aimed at enhancing both community safety and inmate rehabilitation.
According to ZPCS’ Correctional Bulletin for April, acting staff officer for rehabilitation and reintegration, Chief Correctional Officer Ison Ndoro, said they are already moving forward with critical policy groundwork anchored on lessons drawn from the conference.
“The most significant insight is that the parole system must be anchored on sound regulations,” he said.
CCO Ndoro outlined a three-pronged blueprint for success built on robust regulations, expert supervision and strong community partnerships.
“Proper supervision of parolees determines the extent to which the system will succeed. ZPCS is prioritising the development of detailed operational manuals and specialised training programmes for parole officers,” he said.
Beyond institutional reforms, CCO Ndoro said the success of parole hinges significantly on public acceptance and understanding and as such, community sensitisation is supposed to be ongoing.
“Parolees will reside in these communities and pertinent issues such as stigma and fear must be addressed through active engagement,” said CCO Ndoro.
The proposed parole framework is designed to carefully balance rehabilitation with public safety through a rigorous, multi-layered assessment process. Eligibility for parole will consider factors such as the likelihood of re-offending, potential threat to victims, participation in rehabilitation programmes, and post-release reintegration plans.
Victim Impact Statements will also play a key role in informing decisions made by the parole committee. CCO Ndoro said these measures will help safeguard the public and facilitate successful reintegration.
He said parole should not be viewed as an isolated process, but rather as the culmination of continuous rehabilitation efforts within correctional facilities.
“Parole is the end result of a cocktail of rehabilitation programmes. Society has given us a mandate to produce well-behaved and law-abiding citizens who are productive. As officers, we are committed to fulfilling that obligation without compromise,” said CCO Ndoro.
He said the implementation of some of the activities aligned to parole will start this month. ZPCS said the ultimate benchmark of success will be the safe and sustained reintegration of former inmates into society — supported by a system grounded in strong policy, professional oversight, and a well-prepared community.
In another development aimed at fortifying its institutional memory, ZPCS has established its first-ever centralised archives office. The initiative, spearheaded by Commissioner-General Dr Moses Cyril Chihobvu, is designed to transform historical records into a dynamic tool for shaping ZPCS rehabilitative future.
The project is being led by Assistant Commissioner Godwonders Kudakwashe Maguneyi, who emphasised that the archives office goes beyond conventional record-keeping.
“The archives office is more than a records store. It is a learning and restorative resource for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service. Centralised archives help preserve experience so that we do not repeat past mistakes,” said Asst Comm Maguneyi.
The vision for the archive is closely aligned with ZPCS’s modern, rehabilitative ethos. It is intended to support evidence-based programme design, monitoring and training, ensuring that the ZPCS methods are continuously refined and grounded in proven results.
A key component of the initiative is the dignified preservation of the stories of individuals who have been in the care of the ZPCS.
“Aligned with our rehabilitative ethos, the archive will support evidence-based programme design, monitoring and training. It will also safeguard the dignity of people in our care by preserving their stories with respect and in line with lawful safeguards,” said Asst Comm Maguneyi.
He noted that the practical work of building the repository is already underway, with the initial phase focusing on the careful collection and centralisation of a wide range of materials documenting our long history.
“The establishment of the ZPCS archives office marks a strategic investment in institutional memory and in the continuous improvement of our rehabilitative mission. The archive will centralise historical records, programme evaluations, policy documents and personal testimonies that collectively form a resource for evidence-led decision-making,” said Asst Comm Maguneyi.
By systematically preserving this body of knowledge, ZPCS aims to create a permanent resource for evaluating which interventions are most effective. The ultimate goal is to enhance ZPCS ability to reduce reoffending and ensure that effective policies endure, building a lasting legacy of insight for future generations.
