Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has earned praise from regional correctional leaders for its innovative open prison framework.
The framework has been hailed as a model of modern rehabilitation and offender reintegration.
The approach, first introduced at Connemara Open Prison in 2000, focuses on equipping inmates with skills, fostering community ties, and granting supervised freedom to ease their transition back into society.
A delegation of regional heads of prison services, who recently concluded a benchmarking visit, commended Zimbabwe’s practical implementation of the open prison concept, saying this sets a tangible example of reform.
The open prison concept has created an avenue for the implementation of the Parole System, set to be introduced by next year.
This initiative has been praised by regional correctional bodies and is viewed as a blueprint for other nations.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, Commissioner General, Dr Moses Chihobvu, said they were working on introducing the Parole System, which will see prisoners being granted the opportunity to finish part of their prison sentences in the comfort of their homes.
The Parole System is expected to significantly reduce the more than 25,000 inmates presently housed in prisons across the country.
The approach helps rehabilitated individuals reintegrate into society, while keeping the public safe and reducing prison overcrowding.
In an interview after the visit by regional heads of prison services in Gweru, Comm Chihobvu welcomed the regional recognition of Zimbabwe’s open prison model.
“We are delighted that many aspects of the Parole system are already being implemented through our open prison concept. Our pilot programme will involve a small prison and an open prison, marking a significant step in rolling out this initiative,” he said.
Comm Chihobvu added that ZPCS is striving to transition towards a fully-fledged correctional system that prioritises rehabilitation and reintegration.
“What we are going to do with our pilot programme is to involve a small prison and an open prison as we start to roll out this process. It is a critical moment for the prisons in the region as we aim to fully implement the correctional system,” he said.
Namibian Correctional Service, Commissioner General Raphael Tahafeni, said the system by ZPCS is the ideal model for rehabilitating offenders.
“Our task as regional leaders is very simple. We just need to do a copy-and-paste job. There are concepts in our countries, but the follow-up and management by ZPCS is top-notch,” he said.
