Zimbabwe opens SADC`s first female open prison

by | Jun 3, 2021 | Crime & Courts, International, Local News | 0 comments

Mako Jerera

Zimbabwe today made history by becoming the first country in the region to establish a female open prison in the region.

The prison, will offer a conducive environment to female inmates to carry several income projects as they undergo rehabilitation.

Inmates are allowed to go home and spend some time with their family members and relatives as part of their rehabilitation.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa officiated the official opening of the facility.

Amai Mnangagwa, who is the Prison Foundation Trust patron, built a kitchen hut at the facility.

She also provided resources which include gas stoves, solar systems to power the kitchen, a borehole and a fowl runs for poultry projects.

The Angel of Hope Foundation sourced an assortment of groceries including maize meal, rice, laundry soap, cooking oil and Soya mince.

The Trust pooled resources including gas stoves and solar systems to power the kitchen hut, a borehole and fowl runs for poultry projects.

Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Deputy Minister Tino Machakaire donated five Brahman heifers during the ground-breaking ceremony, while Mrs Tsitsi Sekeramayi, gave the institution 10 Boer goats to kick-start projects.

The open prison system, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner-General Chihobvu said, was key in the rehabilitation pipeline that prepared inmates for their successful integration back into society.

“The open prison concept also comes with many advantages some of which include the opportunity to go on home leave thereby allowing beneficiaries interactive time with their families. This I must admit, corrects misconceptions that are normally associated with being imprisoned,” he said.