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Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has welcomed the amendment this week by President Mnangagwa of the clemency order that will see the release of more non-violent prisoners and disabled inmates, helping to de-congest prisons.
In a statement, ZPCS stressed that prisons were there for rehabilitation rather than retribution and most of those being released now should have realised that crime does not pay and be willing to live as law-abiding citizens. “They are supposed to draw lessons from the clemency and choose to live responsibly.”
The outside society also had its part to play. “We urge society to embrace the released inmates,” said the service, asking society to complement efforts to rehabilitate offenders by facilitating their re-entry into society. “Rehabilitation is a process that involves all stakeholders.”
The service noted that convicted offenders and those on remand were among the most vulnerable to viral contagion as they are held in a high risk environment since detention facilities were not equipped to face large scale epidemics.
Social distancing and hygiene rules could not be observed as easily as outside.
The service had to ensure during the Covid-19 pandemic that the human rights of those who remained in dentition were upheld, while taking into account the specific needs of the most vulnerable.
To meet the challenge of the Covid-19 outbreak in places of detention “it is ideal to urgently adopt and implement a humane environment which is supported by adequate human and financial resources”.
The original March clemency order by President Mnangagwa, using his constitutional powers of clemency to reduce sentences, but without pardoning the convicted, saw just 1 680 qualifying for immediate release. The extensions granted by the President on Thursday, shortening the part of the sentence non-violent prisoners had to have served, should see many more allowed to go home.
The period that they must have served varies according to gender, age, and degree of disability with juveniles, women, men over 60 and the severely disabled benefiting the most although shorter term non-violent prisoners who have not abused a previous clemency order or tried to escape win a bit more remission and lifers who have served at least 20 years can now go home.
Online Reporter