APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe has released over 4,200 inmates or about a 20 percent of the total prison population under a presidential amnesty meant to decongest the country’s overcrowded jails.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service spokesperson Meya Khanyezi said 4,166 male and 104 female inmates were released from prisons across the country.
She called on Zimbabweans to facilitate the reintegration of the pardoned prisoners to ensure that they do not return to criminal activities.
“We would like to appeal to the close family members, stakeholders and the society at large to embrace and accept inmates who have been released on amnesty,” Khanyezi said in a statement.
She said violent criminals as well as those convicted of robbery, treason and public order offences were excluded.
The move is expected to decongest the country’s more than 50 detention centres, which have capacity for about 17,000 prisoners but held more than 22,000 before the amnesty.
JN/APA