ZPCS to hold week-long interaction programme

THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) will, starting on Monday, hold a week-long interaction programme where relatives, churches and other stakeholders will visit prisoners in jails across the country.

ZPCS Manicaland public relations officer Mr Liberty Mhlanga said the programme was meant to improve the rehabilitation of offenders and facilitate their re-integration into the society.

The programme runs from August 13 to 19 this year.

“This event intends to improve the rehabilitation of offenders and facilitate their re-integration into society through enhanced interaction with various stakeholders including families, relatives, churches and all those interested in offenders’ welfare,” he said.

Mr Mhlanga said security regulations would be minimised to allow everyone to be visited and increase interaction between inmates and their relatives.

“This event follows a largely successful event, the first of its kind, held last year in August, which saw prisons across the country according offenders more time than is usually prescribed to interact with visitors,” he said.

“To make this year’s family week a success, we are cordially inviting all stakeholders to visit inmates behind bars in prisons countrywide. As you might be aware, visits to prisons are usually regulated, taking cognisance of the security situation that inmates pose. During the family week, regulations are somewhat relaxed to enable anyone to be visited in the spirit of promoting increased interaction between offenders and society.

“Usual security measures shall, however, be exercised.”

Mr Mhlanga encouraged members of the society, stakeholders and relatives of inmates to take advantage of the programme and share food and other societal issues with them.

He said visits would be conducted between 8am and 4pm.

“It is worthwhile to note that offenders come from society and upon release go back into their respective societies,” said Mr Mhlanga.

“It is against this background that society cannot be left out in the rehabilitation and re-integration processes.

“In light of this, we implore everyone to take advantage of this week to share family matters, food and drinks with those behind bars.”

Mr Mhlanga thanked various organisations for the support they have extended to ZPCS, reminding them that there were special groups and institutions in prisons that still needed their recognition.

“These include women behind bars, some of whom come pregnant, children staying with their mothers in prisons, juveniles as well as offenders with mental challenges,” he said.

“Let us consider them during such times. They need our consideration and care.”