The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has affirmed that it provides facilities for children living with their incarcerated mothers, responding to increasing worries about the adverse effects on these children, particularly due to the unjust denial of bail and extended pretrial detention.
These minors often find themselves effectively imprisoned due to their mothers’ circumstances.
Despite legal protections, these children are not exempt from the severe conditions of Zimbabwean prisons, which are known for being squalid and overcrowded. The ZPCS issued a statement saying:
“As stipulated by Section 71 of the Prisons and Correctional Service Act (CAP 7:21), ZPCS accommodates children living with their imprisoned mothers.
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We are dedicated to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone in our custody, including children. ZPCS is committed to compassionate care for children accompanying their mothers in correctional facilities.”
The law further specifies that a female inmate can be admitted into prison with her infant. Upon reaching the age of thirty-six months, the officer-in-charge, following medical officer recommendations and considering the child’s best interests, should transfer the child to a willing and able relative or friend.
If no such support is available, the child may be handed over to a welfare authority approved by the Commissioner-General, in accordance with relevant laws.
The ZPCS reiterates its commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for all individuals in its care, including children, and continues to work diligently to meet their unique needs.
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