HARARE – In a move hailed as a significant step towards rehabilitation, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is expanding its conjugal rights programme, allowing selected inmates to spend time at home with their spouses. This initiative, already underway at Marondera Female Open Prison and Connemara Prison, forms part of a broader shift away from purely punitive measures, towards a more correctional approach.
Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi, spokesperson for the ZPCS, confirmed that the upcoming parole system will further address the issue of conjugal rights for inmates. “Many in Marondera Female and Connemara Prisons have already begun to enjoy these rights while serving their sentences,” she stated. “Conjugal rights will be at the comfort of their homes, not in prisons.”
The programme is designed for inmates who have demonstrated exemplary behaviour and a commitment to rehabilitation. Rather than taking place within the confines of the prison walls, these visits occur in the inmates’ own homes, creating a more natural and conducive environment for intimacy and family bonding.
Ass Comm Khanyezi emphasised the crucial role that families play in the rehabilitation process. “As ZPCS, we cannot solely rehabilitate inmates,” she explained. “Their families and communities must also play a vital role. Prisoners come from the community and will eventually return there.” She encouraged members of the public to visit prisons across the country, bringing gifts and offering support to inmates. This, she believes, helps in the reform process and prevents inmates from viewing prison as their permanent residence.
The ZPCS recently opened prison gates for “Family Week,” allowing inmates to reconnect with their loved ones. Zimpapers observed heart-warming scenes of inmates joyfully reuniting with their families, sharing meals, and embracing each other during visits to five prisons in Harare.
Tambudzai Nyanhete, 52, from Mukarakate Village in Murehwa, travelled to see her late sister’s son, Evans Chamboko, 34, who is serving a 15-year sentence for rape. Isaac Kambangu, 32, serving a 22-year sentence for vandalising public utilities, expressed his elation at receiving a visit from his wife, Brenda Chabwedzeka, who travelled from Concession with their baby girl. Isaac was arrested and jailed while Brenda was pregnant. “I feel honoured and comforted to see my wife visiting me. She is still with my parents,” he said. “Some women decide to return to their parents in situations like these. She gave birth to a baby girl adding to two boys we have been blessed with.”
However, the Psychiatric Unit of Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison saw the fewest visitors during Family Week. The unit, which houses 436 inmates, received only 14 visitors on Tuesday. Among the inmates is Member Dombotshena, who has been there since 2014, and Assistant Inspector Simbarashe Mandizvidza.
Christina Manzongo, a visitor to Chikurubi, shared the story of her son, Edward, who has struggled with drug addiction. “I felt it was important to visit my son, to give him morale support and remind him of our love,” she said. “We still believe in him and look forward to seeing a change. He was stealing kitchen utensils and selling his own clothes. His addiction harmed our family deeply, leading to his separation from his wife and becoming a threat to me.”
Chikurubi Farm Prison welcomed 70 visitors on Tuesday, while the Female Prison, which currently houses 411 inmates despite its capacity of 315, welcomed only 50 visitors. A group of 45 children also visited the female prison. Harare Remand Prison saw 512 visitors, including 133 children, while Harare Central Prison welcomed 920 visitors, including 294 children.
Looking ahead, Commissioner General of Prisons Moses Chihobvu recently addressed female inmates, outlining plans for a parole system that promises to benefit all female inmates at the open prison. “We are in the process of implementing the parole system,” Comm Gen Chihobvu said. “Once operational, this system will allow some inmates to complete their sentences in the comfort of their homes.” The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause and expressions of gratitude from the inmates.
Comm Gen Chihobvu clarified that professionals from the Parole Board will carefully select inmates eligible for the programme, prioritising those who have demonstrated success in rehabilitation initiatives.
Furthermore, as Unity Day approaches, a number of inmates will be granted “temporary release” during the celebrations, with the expectation that they will return to their respective prisons after the New Year. This initiative, along with the expansion of conjugal rights and the implementation of the parole system, reflects a commitment from the ZPCS to fostering rehabilitation and reintegration, ultimately aiming to create a more just and compassionate correctional system in Zimbabwe.
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