Govt committed to improve conditions in correctional facilities

Ntabazinduna (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government is commitment to modernising correctional facilities in the country in order to reduce overcrowding and improve the living conditions for inmates, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

He said this at a pass out parade for 749 correctional officers at the Ntabazinduna Prisons Training School in Matebeleland North province on Wednesday.

“To date, we have since approved the construction of modern and state of the art correctional facilities in Gwanda, Matabeleland South and Hurungwe in Mashonaland West province respectively,” he said.

President Mnangagwa reminded the officers that in independent Zimbabwe, inmates are no longer treated as outcasts, adding that emphasis is now on offender rehabilitation as well as entrepreneurial training and skills development.

“As new Correctional Officers, you must remember that an inmate is an individual who requires individual assessment for personal rehabilitation programs to be successful,” he said .

He challenged the new officers to acquaint themselves with the Code of Ethics and uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

“Lectures and presentations undertaken during your course on constitutionalism and human rights should form the bedrock of your humane treatment on inmates inspite of their rights withdrawn.

“I urge you, therefore, to always adhere to the policies and procedures as directed by the newly enacted Prisons and Correctional Service Act (Chapter 7:21). This will be your guiding legal instrument, which must be followed to the letter,” he said.

President Mnangagwa expressed confidence that the new Prisons and Correctional Service Act will transform the country`s prisons and correctional system in line with international best practices.

“Some of the notable provisions of the Act emphasise the need to reinforce and upscale the rehabilitation and reintegration thrust, the establishment of Correctional Community Centres throughout the country, the exchange of inmates, as well as the full implementation of the parole system, “said President Mnangagwa.

He commended the ZCPS for incorporating drugs and substance abuse related issues into the the officers’ course as it resonates with government efforts to tackle the menace.

President Mnangagwa urged the graduands to remain patriotic and disciplined, saying indiscipline is not tolerated across the rank and file of the ZPCS.

He said the government continues to invest in human capital development, which has seen a number of Correctional Officers benefitting from various scholarships under the Presidential Scholarship Program.

“As new officers, besides undergoing internal courses as offered by the ZPSC, I urge you to advance yourselves academically taking advantage of your conditions of service which relate to study leave and other benefits,” he said.

New Ziana