ZIMBABWEANS must take time to visit their relatives serving time in jail to reduce cases of depression among inmates, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Deputy Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu has said.
BY LINDA CHINOBVA
Chihobvu was speaking on the sidelines of a handover ceremony of Mlondolozi Rehabilitation Unit last week, adding continuous visits by relatives was also part of the rehabilitation process.
“It is very sad to note that some inmates are neglected by their relatives. That is very unfair and disheartening because being in prison does not mean you are an outcast whatsoever.
“There are some inmates who have never been visited in prison ever since they were incarcerated and that, on its own, disturbs the rehabilitation process of the inmate as one is made to feel unwanted and neglected,” Chihobvu said.
“We urge those who have friends and relatives in prison to visit their dear ones. Despite the crimes they would have committed, we should give them another chance and support them in becoming better people in society when released back to society.”
Some of the inmates who spoke to Southern Eye said they were disappointed in their relatives who had abandoned them.
Tapiwa Zenda (32), who has been incarcerated for 12 years for armed robbery and last received a visitor 11 years ago, said he was sad that his family had forgotten about him.
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“I was arrested in 2006 for armed robbery and I am very much aware that I let my family down, but for them to neglect me here in prison breaks my heart every single day of my life,” he said.
“I last received a visitor here at Khami Prison 11 years ago and I don’t even know what has become of my friends and relatives because I have not heard from them since then. Every other day when it’s visiting hour I always wish that my name is called out, but that has become a thing of the past.”
A visibly dismayed Agnes Zhou (41), who has been in prison for nine years for murder, said she last received visitors five years after her incarceration.
“I have been in prison for nine years and for the past four years I have not received any visitor. I don’t know what has become of my children as no one is coming to see me and update me on what is happening with my family while I am here and this really is a peace stealer to me,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
Zhou said she was scared of leaving prison as she was not sure if her family would accept her considering that they had since stopped visiting her.
