Zimbabwe Reaffirms Commitment to Human-Centred Prison Reforms

The Government of Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the country’s correctional system into a humane, rehabilitation-focused institution that upholds human dignity and aligns with international standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Addressing the 55th Session of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in The Gambia recently, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Vimbai Nyemba, said Zimbabwe continues to make meaningful progress in reforming its correctional services in fulfilment of constitutional, regional and international human rights obligations.

Nyemba said a key milestone in the reform agenda was the enactment of the Prisons and Correctional Service Amendment Act, which she described as a significant shift from a punitive incarceration model towards a system grounded in rehabilitation, reintegration and restorative justice.

She said the reforms are intended to equip inmates with the support and opportunities needed for successful reintegration into society, while safeguarding their dignity and rights throughout incarceration.

Despite ongoing challenges such as prison overcrowding, ageing infrastructure and limited resources, Nyemba said Government is implementing practical measures to improve living conditions within correctional institutions and strengthen inmate welfare.

She highlighted progress in prison healthcare services, noting that authorities have procured modern medical equipment and recruited healthcare professionals, including mental health specialists, to improve access to medical and psychosocial care for inmates.

Nyemba said Zimbabwe remains committed to aligning its correctional institutions with international best practices as part of wider justice sector reforms aimed at building a correctional system that prioritises rehabilitation, accountability and human rights.

The reforms underscore Government’s broader vision of transforming prisons into centres of correction, rehabilitation and social reintegration, while advancing national development goals and strengthening compliance with global human rights frameworks.

By Witness A Phiri