The Judiciary, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have called for sentencing reforms and stronger collaboration to address overcrowding in Manicaland’s correctional facilities following an inspection of Mutare Remand Prison and Mutare Prison Farm on Friday.
The delegation, led by Honourable Senior Justice Muzenda, included High Court Judge Sijabuliso Siziba, Senior Regional Magistrate Pethukhile Msipa, Chief Director of Public Prosecutions for Manicaland Clemence Chimbari, Provincial Magistrate Honesty Musiiwa, Registrar of the High Court (Mutare Division) Blessing Saurombe and other senior justice officials.
They were received by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Manicaland Province Officer Commanding Commissioner Spetosomusa Chinobva, Deputy Officer Commanding Assistant Commissioner George Mutimbanyoka and senior officers, who briefed them on prison operations, inmate welfare, security, health services and rehabilitation programmes.
Officials heard that both Mutare Remand Prison and Mutare Prison Farm are operating above capacity.
Justice Muzenda urged justice sector stakeholders to find practical solutions to prison congestion.
“We must find practical ways of reducing overcrowding in our correctional facilities,” he said.
Judge Siziba said some repeat offenders leave courts with limited sentencing options, while Magistrate Musiiwa said magistrates should visit prisons to appreciate conditions and consider alternatives to short custodial sentences where appropriate.
Chief Director of Public Prosecutions Clemence Chimbari said prosecutors should promote community service and other non-custodial sentences to help reduce overcrowding.
Justice Muzenda also called for the transfer of convicted foreign nationals to serve sentences in their home countries where legally possible, and for closer cooperation between the NPA, ZPCS and the Ministry of Health in managing mentally ill inmates.
Senior Regional Magistrate Pethukhile Msipa commended correctional officers for consistently producing inmates for court, while Mutare Prison Farm Officer-in-Charge Superintendent Mercy Tsodzo said inmates continue to receive vocational training in trades including brick moulding, carpentry and agriculture.
Commissioner Chinobva said the visit had strengthened cooperation among the Judiciary, the JSC, the NPA and ZPCS in addressing prison overcrowding and offender rehabilitation.
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