The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is set to undergo a significant transformation with the re-establishment of the Parole System and the formation of the Pathways to Reintegration Foundation (PAREF), initiatives expected to ease the burden on the country’s overcrowded prisons and promote meaningful rehabilitation of inmates. Speaking at the Friends of the Commissioner-General Dinner in Harare last Friday, ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu underscored the importance of these reforms, describing them as milestones not only for the corrections service but for national development as a whole.
Zimbabwe currently houses over 25,000 inmates across its correctional facilities, many of whom remain incarcerated under outdated systems with limited opportunities for rehabilitation or reintegration. Chihobvu explained that the new Parole System is designed to offer a structured, supervised early-release mechanism for deserving inmates, providing a legal and socially responsible pathway for reintegration into society while ensuring public safety. “While previous systems were limited in scope, the new framework provides a structured, supervised early-release mechanism for deserving inmates,” he said, adding that the program is aligned with international best practices and informed by regional experiences from Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa.
The Commissioner-General emphasized that these initiatives are in line with Zimbabwe’s constitutional mandates, the ZPCS Strategic Plan 2026-2030, and Vision 2030. By embedding parole and reintegration as central components of the correctional system, the reforms aim to decongest prisons, reduce recidivism, and cultivate a correctional culture that prioritizes rehabilitation over mere punishment. “Your presence is a clear demonstration of your commitment to the transformation of our correctional system and to the broader national development agenda under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa,” Chihobvu told attendees.
Parole Initiative Launched to Alleviate Prison Overcrowding
In addition to the Parole System, ZPCS has established PAREF, an initiative that will provide structured support for inmates’ reintegration into society. PAREF’s mandate includes offering technical and vocational skills training, entrepreneurship programs, life skills development, employment placement, and livelihood support to individuals transitioning from prison back into the community. The foundation also places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that women, juveniles, persons living with disabilities, and those requiring mental health interventions receive tailored support. “True rehabilitation must be humane, inclusive, and deeply people-centred,” Chihobvu noted, stressing that reintegration is a process requiring the active involvement of families, workplaces, and communities.
Community education and awareness will be central to the success of the reintegration programs. By reducing stigma and fostering acceptance, the initiatives aim to ensure that former inmates are welcomed back with dignity and supported in building productive lives. Chihobvu highlighted that reintegration is not a single event but a journey, one that requires partnership between government agencies, private sector players, civic organisations, faith-based groups, and individuals committed to strengthening communities. “This is not a call for charity. This is a call for collaboration. For aligned purpose. For shared responsibility in building safer and stronger communities,” he said.
The Parole System’s implementation will be reinforced through an inaugural national conference scheduled for next month. The conference, approved by Cabinet, will bring together correctional leaders and experts from across Africa to share experiences and best practices. The discussions are expected to guide strategies for skill development, employment support, and sustainable reintegration programs. This step reflects ZPCS’s commitment to creating a correctional system that is both effective and internationally recognised.
Chihobvu also noted that several government departments, including the Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, have expressed readiness to collaborate with PAREF. Their involvement is expected to expand opportunities for inmates to acquire practical skills and secure gainful employment, further reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
Through these reforms, Zimbabwe is signaling a shift toward a correctional philosophy that balances accountability with opportunity, punishment with rehabilitation. By integrating parole and structured reintegration programs, ZPCS aims to transform the country’s correctional system into a model that promotes public safety, human dignity, and social cohesion.
As Zimbabwe embarks on this ambitious journey, the Parole System and PAREF stand out as critical pillars in building a correctional system that not only addresses overcrowding but also strengthens the social fabric, empowering former inmates to contribute positively to their communities and the nation at large.
