Zimbabwe’s Prison Population Balloons Because Of Festive Season And Prevailing Economic Conditions

A total of 19 020 people are currently jailed in Zimbabwe’s 46 prisons, 12 percent above the holding capacity of 17 000.

Of the 19 020, officials says 16 327 were convicted prisoners, while 2 693 were suspects awaiting trial.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services spokesperson Chief Superintended Elizabeth Banda said out of the 19 020 prisoners, 486 were females.

“As of October 30, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services have 19 020 prison inmates. Out of the 19 020, 16 327 have been convicted while 2 693 are awaiting trial,” she said.

“The numbers continue to rise because this is a reflection of the prevailing economic conditions in the country. The backlog created by the festive season also led to the ballooning of the prison population because the courts remanded most people in custody,” she said. Source: the herald