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Lack of resources affecting rehabilitation of prison inmates

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Officer commanding Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services in Masvingo, Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga has revealed that the current economic challenges facing the country have not spared his department.

Officer commanding Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services in Masvingo, Assistant Commissioner Social Ndanga has revealed that the current economic challenges facing the country have not spared his department.

BY HAZVINEI MWANAKA

Speaking on the sidelines of the provincial commemorations of the Africa Prison/Correctional Service Day at Mucheke Stadium over the weekend, Ndanga said they need to be equipped in order to rehabilitate the inmates.

“The challenge that we face is lack of resources as you know that our economy is not performing well. So we need to be equipped so that we rehabilitate them. We appeal to the community to come and partner with us in the rehabilitation of the inmates,” Ndanga said.

“We are happy that the stakeholders are coming on board. They are partners in rehabilitating the offenders, some are chipping in with technical assistance, some with spiritual guidance, but we are still looking forward to the participation of the community because the government or the prison institution cannot do it alone. This is a mammoth task.”

Commenting on the Family Week that took place earlier this month Ndanga said they received about 100 visitors during the days.

“Here in Masvingo, the Family Week started very slowly because people were not sure of what was happening and mainly because the surroundings are rural areas. It took time for the message to sink in them, but as time went on we started witnessing more relatives and church members coming in to interact with inmates which is a very good initiative which we witnessed,” he said.

Ndanga added that they have an average of 1 300 inmates in Masvingo, of which around 5% are women.