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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has applied for an additional 80 hectares of farming land in Chiredzi, to increase food production for it’s over 2 000 inmates. ZPCS provincial public relations officer (Masvingo), Assistant Prisons and Correction officer (APCO) Stanslous Sanike said the prisons had enough food reserves for all inmates and that they were selling the surplus to surrounding communities.

“On food, I think at the end of the day, we will not expect anything from government as we are moving with haste to be self-sufficient.

“We have a massive market gardening, poultry and ranching projects on 50 hectare at Mutimurefu Prisons.
“As we extend our farming interests we are also courting other partners to help with material and technical support. So far we have been promised a centre pivot for irrigation in Chiredzi and we expect that it will be delivered in the not so distant future”.

He said the prisons were open to partnerships with other players to help the inmates considering that issues of rehabilitation called for active community involvement.

He also hailed their partners helping them with the provision of food, clothes and free medical services, to the inmates.
He also called on families in and around Masvingo to visit their loved ones in prisons with goodies during this festive holiday.

“We want to urge families with incarcerated relatives to at least “put a smile” on their faces this Christmas and New Year Holiday by visiting them, with goodies. This, is instrumental in supporting our organisation’s reintegration and rehabilitation initiatives,” said APCO Sanike.

Some of the prisons under Masvingo province include; Buffalo Range, Chivi satellite, Gutu satellite, Zaka satellite, Mwenezi Satellite, Masvingo Remand and Mutimurefu.