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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Zimbabweans have been urged to visit their incarcerated relatives and friends to promote their smooth integration back into society at the end of their prison terms. In a keynote address during the Africa Prisons and Correctional Day last weekend, the director in the office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Office for Masvingo Mr Kudakwashe Machako said the day gave the community an opportunity to appreciate the strides made by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services in rehabilitating offenders.

“I would like to thank the impeccable work done by ZPCS Masvingo in their efforts in reintegrating offenders back into the society. Mutimurefu Prison has partnered with other organisations in its quest to equip inmates with critical life skills. This comes on the back of a unique family week from September 30 to October 8,” he said.

Mr Machako hailed ZPCS for creating an opportunity where outsiders meet inmates.

“I want to thank ZPCS for creating an opportunity where inmates interact with the society during their time of incarceration. This makes the reintegration process easier,” he said.

Officer commanding Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services in Masvingo, Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga, appealed to the community to help the organisation realise its major objectives to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders.

“We have organisations that have partnered us as ZPCS here in Masvingo. We now boast drip irrigation courtesy of BHASO, which donated and installed the equipment. We are already using the equipment and the issue of food security and nutrition for our inmates has been addressed. Such partnership will help us to stand alone without depending on Government, which is facing challenges. Our aim is not to depend on the fiscus as we have embarked on serious farming activities at our farm near Mutimurefu,” he said.

Asst Comm Ndanga said the ZPCS did not seek to punish offenders, but rehabilitate them so that they were reformed and become responsible citizens.

“We have a number of courses that are done by prisoners and some have attained degrees, practical skills like carpentry, motor mechanic, among others,” he said.

The Africa Prisons and Correctional Day, which was declared by the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA), is celebrated on September 26 each year. This is an open day where all prisons open their doors to the public so that they have an appreciation of their operations regarding rehabilitation and other core functions. The celebrations were held under the theme; “Building Professional Correctional System in Africa. A strategic objective in all member-states.”