The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) says it has facilities for children living with jailed mothers amid growing concerns that kids caught up in the crossfire are suffering, particularly due to unjust denial of bail and prolonged pretrial detention.
Minors end up technically in jailed due to circumstances surrounding their mothers.
Although the law protects them, they are not shielded from the extremely harsh conditions of Zimbabwean prions which are squalid and overcrowded.
The ZPCS said: “As provided for by Sec 71 of the Prisons and Correctional Service Act (CAP 7:21), ZPCS has amongst its population children living with their mothers who are imprisoned. ZPCS is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone in its care, including children. ZPCS Provides Compassionate Care for Children accompanying mothers in correctional facilities.”
The section further adds: “According to Section 71 of the Prisons and Correctional Service Act (CAP 7:21), a female inmate may be admitted into prison or correctional facility with her infant.
“On attaining the age of thirty-six months, the officer-in-charge shall, on the recommendation of the medical officer and on considering the best interests of the infant, hand over the infant to a relative or friend of the mother of the infant able and willing to support such infant.
Alternatively, the officer-in-charge may, if in his or her opinion there is no relative or friend able and willing to support that infant, hand such infant over, subject to the relevant laws, to the care of such welfare authority as the Commissioner-General may approve for that purpose.”
The ZPCS adds that it is “committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all individuals in its care, including children, and is working tirelessly to address their unique needs”.
