Construction of open prison for women starts

CONSTRUCTION work on the first open prison for women, the second such facility in the country, has begun in Marondera in a development that will see inmates serving their sentences in a relaxed environment.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is in charge of the project, which is the second one after Connemara in Gweru.

Speaking during a lecture on the role of Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service in national security on Wednesday, ZPCS Deputy Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu said once completed, the prison would allow inmates to go home during public holidays.

“Inspired by success of the male open prison pilot project at Connemara, management sought approval from Government, which was granted, for the establishment of a female open prison in Marondera,” said Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu.

The construction work comes six months after a public expression of intent by contributing stakeholders.

“The official ground-breaking ceremony was held on January 10, 2020 courtesy of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, in her capacity as the Patron of the Zimbabwe Open Prison Foundation Trust, which is spearheading the mobilisation of resources for construction of the female open prison,” Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu said.

If completed, the prison will come as a timely addition to the country’s rehabilitation infrastructure.

Despite the recent decongestion efforts by way of pardons and amnesties, local prisons remain overwhelmed.

“The institutions’ total official holding capacity is 17 000, whilst the prison population fluctuates around 19 000 inmates,” said Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu.

Connemara in Midlands province between Kwekwe and Gweru, was the country’s first open prison established in 1997, for male inmates.

According to the ZPCS, the success of Connemara has prompted the expansion of the concept to accommodate female prisoners.

At this prison, inmates are getting starter packs to start business projects, which benefit ZPCS and give them a head start as they return to society after rehabilitation.