adminThis was said by the Commissioner of Zambia Prison Service, Percy Kangwa Chato, when he officially visited ZPS’s Ntabazinduna Training Depot on Friday.
Commissioner Chato had earlier on toured prisons, projects and training schools in Mashonaland region, Harare and Masvingo before his final visit to Matabeleland.
Addressing 603 recruits, Commissioner Chato urged them to treat prisoners with dignity and respect.
“First of all on behalf of Zambia Prison Service, I like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government and the people of Zimbabwe for allowing us to tour its correctional institutions.
“I was privileged in my tour to acquaint myself with some of the Zimbabwe laws. The laws consider that, if a person commits any crime, it does not mean they cease to be human or that they can be deprived of those aspects that constitute human dignity,” said Commissioner Chato.
He also applauded ZPS for recruiting female prison officers and said it was a sign of development.
“The presence of female recruits on parade today is encouraging, it shows that the organisation has managed to free itself from the legacy of female prejudice,” said Commissioner Chato.
Speaking after the address, Commissioner Chato said he was impressed with the health standards that were maintained in prisons he had toured in the country.
“Apart from various projects that include farming, poultry and vocational training, I noted that there is a commendable health standard and as Zambia we need to follow the set example.
“Inmates are receiving the state of the art kind of medical services from their skilled personnel and that is very impressing,” said Commissioner Chato.
Speaking during the same occasion, Deputy Commissioner Aggrey Huggins Machingauta said the Commissioner of ZPS Major-General Paradzayi Zimondi had visited the Zambia Prison Service as part of the exchange programme.
“We regard Zambia as our big brother and we were also impressed with how they operate when we visited Zambia two months ago.
“Inmates in Zambia are involved in farming activities and they are producing a lot of maize compared to us. We also learnt some of their skills that will be implemented soon,” said Deputy Commissioner Machingauta.
After a five-day nationwide tour that ended at Ntabazinduna Training Depot, Commissioner Chato visited the Victoria Falls before going back to Zambia.
Online Reporter