Dear Editor
On-going Presidential Pardon in Zimbabwe
The prison system in Zimbabwe has created a silent but ragging war between the “good” citizens and those who have been through the system.
Americans and British citizens are both advancing towards the denunciation of the prison system. Prisons drain human capital and increase poverty.
The war should not be against prisoners but against the entire prison system. It is an actual breeding ground for criminality it creates a cycle that once you are caught up in you will not come out.
It is the child of a person sentenced to 3 years in prison for a break – in who will become a hard core gangster/robber. So unbeknown to society by sending people to prison we are going right into the trap.
In our African culture dispute resolution was compensation even for death of another person. Such that both families could still go on despite the unfortunate incident without affecting the rest of the family negatively. Now prisons ensure that when a breadwinner is arrested those left behind will struggle to the core until they become criminals themselves.
The Americans and British are now advocating for restorative justice practices which they took away from us by introducing prisons here during the colonial era.
As usual we going to be the last people to catch on, especially on what was actually our own way of doing things.
People don’t report crimes because of fear of even being a witness. Even witnesses suffer through the system by time spend attending never ending court cases enduring countless postponements etc.
Also, in as much as some criminals are inside, a lot too are sitting next to you in the taxi, bank que or supermarket.
The opposite of what has been instilled in us is true and that is to love, care and offer support will reduce criminal behavior.
The current prison system divides people, between those who perceive themselves to be law abiding citizens and those who have actually committed crimes.
I say perceived because in reality and as the Bible stipulates no one is perfect.
So, during this Presidential Pardon try not to run away from but run towards to offer help.
Let’s all fix this now.
#restorativejustice
#reentry
#criminaljustice
#returningcitizens
#justiceinvolved
#justiceimpacted
#zimbabwe
#prisons
#advocacy
Makaita Chikamhi Magarezano
