Zimbabwe inmates to get new prison uniform

Prisoners in the country's jails are set to get new clothes as the  Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has bought 34 000 metres of fabric.

Scores of inmates are exposed to harsh weather conditions, especially during winter because the prison service cannot afford blankets or warm clothing.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services  on Monday, Deputy Commissioner-General Agrey Machingauta said the fabric was bought two weeks ago and would be dispatched to prisons soon.

"We have now done a quotation for blankets and await Treasury to avail funds as blankets that are available are not enough after some were burnt during the attempted jailbreak in March," said Dep Comm-Gen Machingauta.

He said toilets were in a deplorable state and in need of repairs and they had been unable to carry out small repairs such as the flushing system.

"When funding is not availed, we fail to even repair a cistern," said Dep Comm-Gen Machingauta.