Harare ,  (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe is taking steps towards establishing a parole system as part of broader measures to decongest prisons and strengthen offender rehabilitation, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.

Responding to a question from Hurungwe East MP Chenjerai Kangausaru in the National Assembly on Wednesday,  Ziyambi said Cabinet had approved the setting up of a parole board in line with the Prisons and Correctional Services Act.

“We took a paper to Cabinet for approval so that we set up a parole board that will look into issues of parole consistent with the Prisons and Correctional Services Act, and Cabinet has since approved that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ziyambi said that the Ministry will convene a major international conference on parole administration in early December, bringing together nearly 20 heads of prisons from across Africa and Europe.

The meeting will focus on sharing best practices and experiences in parole management.

“We have about almost 20 heads of prisons across Africa and from Europe who have confirmed that they are coming to Zimbabwe for the conference, where we will deliberate and get first-hand information, learn lessons on how others are doing it with a view of ensuring that come next year, we will set up our own parole board and parole system,” said Ziyambi.

He expressed optimism that the planned reforms will align Zimbabwe’s justice delivery system with international standards and promote the humane treatment of inmates.

Human rights advocates have long called for the introduction of a parole system as a key step toward rehabilitating offenders and easing the strain on the prison system.

New Ziana