ZPCS Midlands releases 311 inmates

Gweru(New Ziana) – Over 300 prisoners were released by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) in the Midlands Province under the latest Presidential Amnesty as a preventive measure against the Covid-19 pandemic, an official said on Wednesday.

In a statement, deputy public relations officer, Modellia Banda said 311 prisoners from eight prisons in the province had been released, both men and women.

Before the pardons, jails countrywide held over 22 000 prisoners, way above their carrying capacity of around 17 000.

The presidential pardons were also part of efforts to lessen overcrowding in the prisons in light of the coronavirus pandemic which spreads quickly in crowded environments.

“The ZPCS has released 311 inmates under the Presidential amnesty from the 8 prisons in the (Midlands) Province. The major reason for the release is to de-congest the prisons in the Province as well as a preventive measure against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Banda said.

“From Gokwe 38 males, Kwekwe 27 males, Mberengwa 21 males, WhaWha medium 167 males, WhaWha Young offenders 23 males, Zvishavane 19 males and Shurugwi 16 females have been released through the Amnesty of 2020,” she said.

Banda said those who benefited had served a minimum effective period of 36 months.

“Not all inmates benefitted from this amnesty but those who served an effective period of 36 months, save for those convicted of specified offences which include murder, treason, rape, any sexual offences, car-jacking, armed robbery, stock theft and public violence,” she said.

New Ziana