Zim to Host Regional Parole System Indaba

Oscar J Jeke - Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwe is set to host a Regional Conference on the Parole System in Africa later this year, following Cabinet approval of the initiative.

The conference aims to bring together correctional services and justice ministries from across the continent to share best practices, foster regional cooperation, and advance the reform of parole systems in Africa, while anticipated to yield actionable recommendations for alternative sentencing, prison decongestion, and the effective reintegration of offenders.

This development comes as Zimbabwe embarks on sweeping reforms to its correctional system, marked by the recent promulgation of the Prisons and Correctional Services Act. The new legislation broadens the scope of parole, making all prisoners regardless of the nature of their sentence eligible to apply for early release based on good behavior, rehabilitation progress, and readiness for reintegration into society.