Prisons flooded with inquiries after presidential amnesty announcement

PRISON authorities have urged patience from the public as they begin implementing the recently announced presidential amnesty, warning that inmates will only be released after a detailed verification and screening process.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) said its offices had been "flooded with inquiries" from families of prisoners following Cabinet's approval of the amnesty exercised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa under his constitutional powers of mercy.

In a statement issued Thursday, ZPCS said the amnesty reflects the Government's commitment to justice tempered with mercy, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society, but stressed that strict legal procedures must be followed before any releases take place.

"While we fully understand the anticipation and interest surrounding this development, it is important to emphasise that due processes must be meticulously followed before any inmate is released," the service said.

Officials will conduct verification, screening and documentation checks in coordination with judicial and administrative bodies to ensure that only eligible inmates benefit from the clemency.

The service said adherence to the process was necessary to uphold the rule of law, maintain public confidence and safeguard the integrity of the justice delivery system.

"The orderly and lawful execution of the amnesty is our priority," ZPCS said, urging communities to support former inmates as they reintegrate into society.

The statement described the amnesty as a "second chance at life" for beneficiaries, encouraging those released to embrace responsibility, discipline and law-abiding conduct.

Cabinet recently approved a general amnesty targeting specified categories of prisoners, including women, juveniles, elderly inmates and those serving shorter sentences, among others.

Mnangagwa's amnesty is designed to ease pressure on correctional facilities after officials presented alarming figures on overcrowding.

A report by Members of Parliament in January indicated that the country's prisons are holding nearly 10,000 inmates beyond their designed capacity.

According to the figures, the prison population stood at 27,683 inmates as of early January against an official holding capacity of 17,800 - an excess of 9,883 prisoners.