Gvt plans open prison for Marondera

Government is planning to set up an open prison in Marondera in a bid to decongest the country's holding facilities.

Deputy Minister of Justice legal and Parliamentary Affairs Fortune Chasi told Parliamentarians that the system would not necessarily exclusively cater for female inmates.

Zanu PF Gokwe MP Dorothy Mangami had asked Chasi what the government position was regarding the establishment of a female open prison.

Mangami wanted to know from Chasi what the government position was to give such service to women who deserve such.

"Indeed, Government has a policy which is primarily based on trying to ensure that we decongest the prisons," Chasi said.

"Our concern of course, is that we must be able to decongest prisons by getting suitable candidates who can be placed in an open prison system. We are currently considering setting up one in Marondera and with the fullness of time, the details of that prison will be disclosed."

Chasi added, "the approach is not necessarily to deal with women per se but each case will be looked at in accordance with its own merits, regarding the candidates the person that is there to see whether they are suitable to be placed in an open prison.

"Consideration such as the seriousness of the offence, the possibility of the flight of the prisoner in question are the key considerations that we will take into account," Chasi said.