Sadly, most ex-convicts say their lives have been transformed into hell by society after they were released.
“It is like we carry the bad boy tag where ever we go. I served my sentence, but society has decided to sentence me for life,” said Richard Mukoyo, a former inmate.
He said most of the people were skeptical about the repentance of former criminals.
“I am now a devout Christian and I am not proud of my past, but even in church people treat me like I have leprosy. Yes, I transgressed but prison changes people. I just wish people would give me another chance to prove that I am now a law abiding citizen. I know God has forgiven me,” added Mukoyo.
Margaret Antonio, who served 12 years for baby dumping, said her life was a perpetual misery as her family and society refused to forgive her.
“I live with my sister and I can clearly see that she is not comfortable when I am around her children. She does not want to leave them in my care. Yes, I sinned but I was just a naïve young girl. I know that what I did was wrong, but after spending 12 years of my life behind bars, I think I have paid for my sins,” she said.
Zebron Guzva, another former inmate, said finding employment was very difficult. “I am a qualified accountant, but I was involved in fraudulent activities which led to my incarceration. Now I am out, but no one wants to employ an ex-convict,” he said.
These cases are just the tip of an iceberg of deep-rooted resentment in society against former prison inmates. This reporter interviewed some ordinary citizens and most of them said they would not employ any ex-convict.
The Zimbabwe Prison Services has rolled out programmes to help former inmates to earn a decent living once they are out of bondage. One offers carpentry courses in conjunction with Border Timbers International. 17 inmates have benefitted from this programme since its inception in 2010 and 10 inmates are attached on a full salary.
ZPS Rehabilitation Coordinator, Thembani Ndlovu said the programme, a first for Zimbabwe, seeks to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates back into society.
“Before an inmate is incorporated into the programme we look at discipline and ability to socialize with others. Those who were convicted for murder and rape are not eligible. At the moment we are focusing on those serving short sentences,” he said.
BTL Managing Director, Douglas Dell, said the rehabilitation of offenders was not the sole responsibility of ZPS alone but of society at large. Fungai Saunyama served a 16-month jail term for assault but is now permanently employed at BTL.
He said such programmes must be supported and urged more companies to follow BTL’s lead. “Going to jail is not the end of the world. There is life after prison and rehabilitation and this integration programme has removed stigma against ex-inmates. After serving my sentence I am now able to look after my family well,” said Saunyama.
An official from Prison Fellowship said ex-offenders encounter many challenges to living a crime free life once they leave prison. Chief among these are rejection by their families and communities of origin and the fear of revenge on the part of victims or victims’ families.
Post published in: News