Prisons boss appeals to NGOs

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ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) boss Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi has appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the corporate sector to assist the prisons authority with funds to aid its inmates’ rehabilitation programmes.

ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) boss Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi has appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the corporate sector to assist the prisons authority with funds to aid its inmates’ rehabilitation programmes. NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER

Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi
Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi

Zimondi admitted the ZPCS could not conduct rehabilitation and integration programmes of prisoners before pleading with NGOs and the corporate sector to chip in with assistance.

The ZPCS is facing various challenges mostly blamed on under-funding from national Treasury.

“In the same vein, our organisation has adopted an open door policy allowing and embracing civic groups as well as media houses to come on board and partner us to ensure that the ZPCS rehabilitation programme comes into fruition,” Zimondi said on Friday at the passout parade of 757 graduates in Ntabazinduna on the outskirts of Bulawayo.

Zimondi said the corporate sector and civic groups should assist in the rehabilitation of offenders to ensure that upon release from prison they do not turn to crime for a living, but engage in self-help projects they would have learnt behind bars.

“I just want to encourage other players in the civic organisations and the corporate world to come on board and make a difference by supporting the rehabilitation of and reintegration of offenders so that upon release from prison they contribute to self-employment, growth and development not only for themselves but for the benefit of our country as well,” Zimondi added.

Churches, NGOs and private companies have stepped in previously to assist the ZPCS, especially with food to curb hunger-related sicknesses and deaths.

The government has said it is committed to the rehabilitation of prisoners, but funding constraints were standing in its way.

The dire financial situation at the ZPCS saw it failing to take prisoners to court earlier this year.

ZPCS cash woes are set to continue as Treasury only allocated $2,5 million against $21 million it had requested in the 2014 national budget.

ZPCS officials indicated that the prisons authority required nearly $1,2 million per month to feed prisoners and carry out other functions, but it was only getting $300 000.