The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie at Mutimurefu, Masvingo
MUTIMUREFU Prison in Masvingo has recorded an average of 83 percent pass rate in public examinations in the past three years, a sign that correctional centres are helping inmates not only through rehabilitation but acquire education.
Speaking to journalists during a media tour of the correctional centre last week, Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Services(ZPCS) rehabilitation and counselling officer Assistant Prisons and Correctional Officer Charles Mundingi said the organisation had assisted a number of inmates attain both academic and vocational qualifications.
“We have young offenders who have exceptionally done wonders in their studies. Since we started in 2016 we have a success rate of more than 83 percent as most of the candidates who sit for examinations pass with distinctions,” he said.
He said the rehabilitation and counselling section was responsible with helping inmates realise their full potential and most of them have preferred to pursue academic courses.
“Last year we had 15 young offenders who sat for Ordinary Level examinations and only one failed. We were surprised by one young offender who wanted to sit for Grade Seven examinations but ended up writing Ordinary Level and recorded three As in our system, we have education section with qualified personnel taking offenders through their studies.”
He said the rehabilitation and counselling section was manned by two trained officers who carter for 725 inmates
“We assist 725 inmates who are currently serving their sentences through helping them appreciate prison life. Most of them will be fearful the time they come to prison but through counselling they will regain their confidence and self-esteem. We take them through genealogy (family tree) lessons where we make them appreciate what could have caused them to commit offences.”
ZPCS officer commanding Masvingo Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga said the organisation had shifted from punitive treatment of offenders to correctional approach where inmates are empowered with self-help skills.
