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Nesia Mhaka Herald Correspondent

Female inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Prison got equipped with business skills that might help them start life-changing projects when they are released.

Local organisation, Networked Business Minds (NBM), recently visited the prisoners and imparted knowledge in home-based projects like making of soap, drinks and washing powder, among other basic products.

The projects are part of the rehabilitation initiatives being done by the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service (ZPCS) in Harare province and will benefit more than 600 inmates.

NMB director Mr Phillus Guzha said they intend to empower the prisoners so that they will not struggle to make ends meet when they get back into the society.

“As a local firm we are embarking on several projects, including detergent making,” he said.

“We want inmates to make their own stuff and stop relying on others. Every inmate must do hands-on jobs that will enable them to eke out a living when they are reintegrated into society.”

Mr Guzha said they were looking forward to working with other partners in their projects.

He said others should also chip in to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates.

“We are hoping for business partners and the community at large to continue assisting us with machines so that the vision of empowering inmates is achieved,” Mr Guzha.

Mr Guzha said they had prioritised the life skills projects like soap making as they required less capital. He vowed to continue working on the projects, saying they played a major role in reintegrating inmates into society.

“I lead a group named ‘Taking Advantage of Another Chance’ and our primary goal is to support inmates with skills so that upon release they can be productive,” he said.

Taking Advantage of Another Chance is an advocacy for community inclusion in the rehabilitation of inmates for sustainable reintegration into society.