Prisoners were denied the opportunity to participate in the constitution-making process and do not vote in elections.
“ZACRO is very much disturbed with the continued denial of prisoners’ right to participate in the electoral process. This is a gross violation of human rights which must be stopped,” said Chief Executive Edison Chihota. “The fact that one is serving a prison term does not make him/her less human.”
Prisoners serving jail sentences exceeding six months automatically lose voting rights, while those serving lesser sentences can only participate in the electoral process at the discretion of the minister of justice.
“The prison Act has too many glaring gaps which need urgent address. Instead of being correctional institutions our prisons continue to function as punishing centres as they provide very little if not nothing at all regarding rehabilitation of the offender. The judiciary should conform to current Zimbabwe situation and accord inmates due rights,” said Chihota in an exclusive interview with The Zimbabwean.
“Government suspicion about our motive in this regard remains worrying and hinders our efforts to improve life for prisoners,” said Chihota.
He challenged government to set the tone for the re-integration of former convicts into communities. “It is sad to note that former prisoners continue to be denied job opportunities by government, despite having acquired important skills behind bars at the tax payers’ expense.”
A former convict teacher based at Juru Growth Point in Goromonzi who chose to be identified as Size said: “There must be a spirited lobby for removal of the criminal tag from rehabilitated former prisoners. Imagine I was convicted for a trumped up non-teaching practice related offence, but will never be employed by government in my area of speciality or in any other capacity.
“The same applies to drivers denied relevant government employment for having served jail sentences for a non-driving related offence. This is ridiculous. I am also bitter that I was denied the opportunity to have an input in the constitution-making process while I was in prison.”
Justice and Legal affairs deputy minister, Obert Gutu said prisoners should not be deprived of their human rights simply because they are confined within prison walls.
Observers said denying prisoners’ right to participate in the electoral process was one of the worst violations of human rights.
“It is unjust for government to deny people in prison the right to vote. This has led to some questionable amnesties given selected prisoners ahead of previous elections. We have seen some politicians being released early from prison ahead of elections. The practice has arguably benefitted prisoners belonging to a particular political party.
“Some appeals against long jail sentences have allegedly been fast tracked to serve interests of known political parties, to allow selected convicts to participate in electoral processes. Examples in this respect remain too many and are public knowledge,” said an observer who said the subject is highly sensitive.
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