Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) will this week host the first Family Week for 2025, a heartwarming event that seeks to bring inmates and their families together in a relaxed and supportive environment.
In an interview, ZPCS Manicaland public relations officer, Chief Correctional Officer Liberty Mhlanga said ZPCS has set aside two phases of the annual Family Week.
“The first one for this year will run from April 8 to May 4 while the second phase will run from December 8 to 14, across all stations nationwide, including those in Manicaland. This is to allow our inmates to have quality time with their families during holidays, just like everyone else,” he said.
CCO Mhlanga said Family Week is an important occasion aimed at strengthening family ties which are vital for rehabilitation and reintegration.
“It is more than just a visit. It is a moment for loved ones to sit down, share meals, laugh together, and reconnect in a deeper way. These are the things that remind our inmates that they are still part of a family and a community that loves them,” he said.
Unlike regular prison visits that are often short and limited in interaction, Family Week allows families to spend quality time with inmates from 9am to 3pm daily.
“Visitors will be allowed to bring meals, take photographs, and even enjoy a braai with their loved ones behind bars,” he said.
CCO Mhlanga said various activities including live music performances will be held to make the experience more memorable and joyful.
“This is a time for healing. Whether it is a parent meeting their child after years, or partners reconnecting after hardship, Family Week brings hope. It gives inmates something to look forward to, something to live for,” he added.
He said the programme plays a critical role in the rehabilitation process because it reminds inmates of the people waiting for them outside.
The warmth and support from family members, according to CCO Mhlanga, can help encourage positive behaviour and a mindset shift towards rejoining society.
” As ZPCS, we are calling on all families, friends, and community members to support the initiative and visit your incarcerated loved ones during the Family Week. We advise visitors to bring their national identity cards to ensure smooth entry into the facilities.
“We want this to be a time of love, unity, and second chances because every moment spent together brings us one step closer to building a brighter future for everyone involved,” he said.
He assured the public that ZPCS is ready to host the event with dignity and security.
“Any additional updates will be communicated in due course but the 2025
Family Week is not just a programme, it is a message. A message that even within the prison walls, there is room for love, laughter, and connection. As ZPCS Manicaland prepares to open its prison gates to families next week, we invite all to take part in a journey of togetherness and hope,” he said.
Online Reporter