The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Thobekile Khumalo, Sunday News Reporters
A NUMBER of church organisations and individuals have hailed the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) for introducing the Family Week as more time was granted to inmates to interact with their loved once in all prisons last week.
ZPSC, last week, launched Family Week that ended on Saturday where relatives and other organisations were granted extended times to be with their loved once serving time in prisons.
Among the organisations that participated in the Family Week was Ubert Angel Foundation whose members visited Khami Maximum Prison to donate various goods as well as have lunch with inmates.
In an interview, Spirit Embassy pastor for Matabeleland Mr Patrick Mutizwa said that as a foundation they saw it fit to help the inmates.
“When the Government came up with the idea as part of rehabilitation we as a foundation took advantage of it in order for us to offer help in rehabilitating the prisoners and so that people might see the life that is here and be a lesson to them,” he said.
“We are here to give the offenders hope and direction because whatever they need that is found in the word of God and this is the second time we are coming here to spend time with them preaching the good news,” he said.
One of the prisoners, Busani Tshuma (45) said he has managed to see his 90 year old mother whom he never thought would meet again after he was initially sentenced to hang.
“When I was sentenced, I was given a capital punishment that is death penalty for murder and robbery in 2000. That made a huge difference to life because I was separated from the family as I was taken to Chikurubi Maximum Prison (in Harare) waiting for the day of my execution.
“After my sentence was lowered last year to life in prison, although I have not received many visitors at least this week I was able to see my 90-year old mother through this programme,” he said.
Mrs Amal Tholo a Swedish national who was visiting her incarcerated husband Austin Tholo said she was amazed by the concept of a Family Week.
“I am married to a Zimbabwean and I am Swedish. I am here to see my husband who was arrested. This is concept is actually a good thing. I was surprised to see that Zimbabwe has developed this much that we have an opportunity to see inmates. I thought it was very strict that you could not visit an inmate but we are lucky to have Family Week,” she said.
She said she was happy that her children were also allowed to come and see their father.
Principal Correctional Officer responsible for rehabilitation Obert Ndlovu said that the programme has been getting a good response.
“The programme has a positive response, relatives come to enjoy their time, meals and the activities with inmates.
“Even those who are not receiving visitors are enjoying the activities lined up for them entertainment wise and even the spiritual ministries that come to support and give,” he said.
“We encourage communities out there to come in their numbers and enjoy with their fellow people. Being in custody does not mean that one no longer belongs to the society because after serving their sentence
He added that besides the Family Week there are other rehabilitation programmes that are being offered to inmates.
“We have a number of activities for our rehabilitation programmes that include vocational training that where we help them acquire new skills, we have our own car wash, nutrition garden, handy craft and the spiritual side for prisoners,” he said.
