Zimbabwe to introduce parole

The Government of Zimbabwe is reviewing policies and regulations to enable the effective implementation of a parole system and the establishment of community correctional centres under the newly enacted Prisons and Correctional Service Act. This initiative is being driven by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting the ZPCS in fulfilling its constitutional mandate. Speaking at a pass-out parade for correctional officers at the Ntabazinduna Training School, he emphasized the importance of transforming Zimbabwe's correctional system from a punitive model to one focused on rehabilitation and reintegration.

The parole system, a significant aspect of the new legislation, will allow prisoners to be conditionally released before completing their sentences. The system includes the establishment of a State Parole Board, which will assess inmates based on their conduct, self-discipline, and potential for reintegration into society. Parole decisions may also be made by the President, the Commissioner General of Prisons, or the Minister responsible for Prisons and Correctional Services.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stated during the pass-out parade that his ministry, in collaboration with the ZPCS, is aligning policies and regulations to ensure the successful rollout of these initiatives. He noted that the parole system and community correctional centres are critical in reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities and advancing the rehabilitation process.

In a bid to support reintegration, ZPCS is working to establish a foundation aimed at addressing challenges faced by inmates and ex-inmates. The foundation will mobilize resources and provide programs to help individuals transition back into society. Minister Ziyambi expressed the ministry's full support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to contribute to a prosperous and inclusive nation.

The Justice Minister also called for increased regional collaboration among correctional services in Africa through the African Correctional Services Association. He urged member states to share expertise and develop reintegration strategies that address the unique challenges faced on the continent.

ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu praised the new Act for empowering the correctional service to strengthen its focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. He emphasized that reintegration programs are essential not only for personal growth but also for enhancing public safety and reducing repeat offenses. Providing former inmates with access to education, employment opportunities, and social support equips them to become productive members of society, he said.

The Commissioner-General stressed that a holistic approach to corrections fosters a sense of belonging and positive citizenship, ultimately reinforcing the social fabric of the nation. By prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, the Government aims to build a more resilient and inclusive society while addressing long-standing challenges within the correctional system.

Through these reforms, Zimbabwe is set to modernize its correctional policies and create pathways for inmates to rejoin society as law-abiding citizens, paving the way for a stronger and more cohesive nation.