Long visiting hours for prisoners

18 Aug, 2019 - 00:08 0 Views
Long visiting hours for prisoners

The Sunday News

Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) will from tomorrow until Sunday hold another Family Week allowing inmates to get extended time regular visit from friends and relatives.

In an interview, ZPCS spokesperson chief correctional officer Meya Khanyezi said special attention must also be given to women inmates who were incarcerated with children, expectant inmates and those mentally challenged.

“We have in our institutions some special groups that need care. These include but are not limited to women behind bars, some of who come with pregnancies, children accompanying their mothers in prison, juveniles as well as offenders with mental challenges. Let us consider them during such times as this Family Week; they need our consideration and care,” he said.

Family Week was introduced with the intention to improve the rehabilitation of offenders and facilitate their re-integration into society through enhanced interaction with various stakeholders including families, relatives, churches and other stakeholders that are interested in offenders’ welfare. 

Chief correctional officer Khanyezi said previous such events have been a success.

“This event follows previous other successful events, which saw prisons across the country affording offenders more time than they are usually prescribed, to interact with visitors. This event is being held prior to the annually observed Africa Prisons/Correctional Services Day which is celebrated in appreciation of the work being done in Prisons and Correctional Facilities in Africa towards the improvement of the welfare of offenders,” he said.

ZPCS said it was important to note that offenders come from society and upon release they go back to their respective societies. 

He said it is against this background that society cannot be left out in the rehabilitation, community re-entry and re-integration processes.

“In light of this, we implore upon all to take advantage of this Family Week to share with those behind bars family matters, food and drinks. We cordially invite all stakeholders to visit inmates behind bars in prisons countrywide.

“As you might be aware visits to prisons are usually regulated taking cognisance of the security situation that inmates pose. During the Family Week however, regulations are somewhat relaxed to enable anyone to be visited in the spirit of promoting increased interaction between offenders and society. However, usual security measures shall be exercised,” he said.

Chief correctional officer Khanyezi said visits will be conducted during normal hours (8am-4pm) with visitors enjoying longer periods of interactions at the discretion of Officers-in-Charge of various prisons. 

“We have in our prisons some inmates who are rarely visited due to the wrongs done to society. However, we have individuals and organisations that have decided to let bygones be bygones realising that people need another chance to right their wrongs,” he added.

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