News / National
Rioting inmates face re-trial
15 Mar 2015 at 05:07hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) will soon set up a board of inquiry to investigate and possibly penalise Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison inmates who participated in Friday's riot.
The board will be commissioned after an on-going investigation is complete.
Some offenders might receive extended jail terms or be transferred to other correctional facilities.
ZPCS spokesperson Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Banda-Karinda said: "After the investigation, a board will be set up by the Commissioner General (Major General Paradzai Zimondi, Rtd) to try offenders. Those found guilty will be penalised accordingly.
"There is the possibility of having their sentences extended."
Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender chief executive Mr Edison Chihota blamed the skirmishes on an inadequate prison budget.
"Though the ZPCS has tried its best to improvise given the dire financial situation, their efforts have not been enough. The authorities need to look at this incident and reflect on putting in place measures that prevent a similar incident from recurring."
ZPCS' 42 correctional facilities hold an estimated 17 000 inmates with Chikurubi accounting for 4 663.
Reports indicate that inmates are living off a poor diet that has resulted in massive malnutrition and prevalence of diseases such as scurvy and pellagra.
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of Vitamin C while pellagra is caused by Vitamin B deficiency.
At least US$21 million is required to feed inmates a standard diet annually.
The board will be commissioned after an on-going investigation is complete.
Some offenders might receive extended jail terms or be transferred to other correctional facilities.
ZPCS spokesperson Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Banda-Karinda said: "After the investigation, a board will be set up by the Commissioner General (Major General Paradzai Zimondi, Rtd) to try offenders. Those found guilty will be penalised accordingly.
"There is the possibility of having their sentences extended."
Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender chief executive Mr Edison Chihota blamed the skirmishes on an inadequate prison budget.
"Though the ZPCS has tried its best to improvise given the dire financial situation, their efforts have not been enough. The authorities need to look at this incident and reflect on putting in place measures that prevent a similar incident from recurring."
ZPCS' 42 correctional facilities hold an estimated 17 000 inmates with Chikurubi accounting for 4 663.
Reports indicate that inmates are living off a poor diet that has resulted in massive malnutrition and prevalence of diseases such as scurvy and pellagra.
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of Vitamin C while pellagra is caused by Vitamin B deficiency.
At least US$21 million is required to feed inmates a standard diet annually.
Source - sundaymail
