Overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate healthcare and critical shortages of clothing and bedding continue to violate prisoners’ basic human rights in Zimbabwe, according to a latest Parliamentary report that has painted a harsh picture of the state of the country’s prisons.
While food and nutrition for inmates have improved, alarm was also raised over the long remand period of prisoners and inhumane treatment, which it described as a direct violation of human rights and justice principles.
The Report of the Joint Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Thematic Committee on Human Rights on the State of Prisons in Zimbabwe, tabled before Parliament recently, exposes systemic failures within the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) that have left many inmates living in inhumane conditions.
“During the visit, the Committee observed the profound human cost and systemic failure of individuals held on remand for extended periods without trial,” the report stated.
“Prolonged pre-trial detention inflicts severe individual harm, strains prison resources, fuels overcrowding and erodes public confidence in the justice system’s fairness and efficiency.”
The Committee saw incidents of inhuman treatment during its visit to Harare Remand Prison where they “witnessed inmates sitting on a wet floor, which had recently been cleaned,”
“During the interactive session with Class D inmates, the Committee was informed that some inmates had recently been beaten following the escape of two inmates from the prison. The Committee was concerned by the reported treatment of inmates, as these were not in conformity with the local and international legal frameworks governing the management of prisons,” said the report.
According to the report, most prison facilities across the country are operating far beyond their holding capacities, with some facing congestion levels of over 300 percent.
“Overcrowding remains one of the most critical and persistent challenges affecting the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service,” the Committee noted.
“Gwanda Prison was holding 210 inmates against a capacity of only 60, representing 350 percent overcrowding, while Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison had 2 689 inmates crammed into facilities designed for 1 114.”
Other facilities also reported alarming figures including Binga Prison that housed 78 inmates in a space built for 45, while Harare Remand Prison held 1 361 inmates in a facility designed for 900.
The overcrowding has created a ripple effect of challenges, from poor ventilation and leaking cells to strained sanitation systems, limited healthcare access and heightened risks of disease outbreaks.
“Inmates are sleeping in cramped and poorly ventilated cells, with inadequate bedding and strained access to basic health services,” the report stated.
“These conditions pose serious human rights and health implications.”
While open prisons such as Connemara and Marondera Female Open Prison offer relatively better conditions, they remain rare exceptions in an otherwise dire system.
The Committee commended government efforts to improve food security within prisons, describing it as a “notable shift” compared to previous years of severe shortages, however lamented that cooking conditions were unsafe
“Inmates are now being served three meals per day – breakfast, lunch, and supper – marking a notable improvement from previous years when rations were inconsistent and inadequate,” read the report.
Some facilities have integrated fresh produce from prison farms into daily menus, improving nutrition and promoting self-sufficiency.
However, the Committee raised concerns over early dinner times, especially for inmates with chronic conditions such as diabetes, and the poor state of cooking facilities.
“Many prisons still rely heavily on firewood for cooking, with shortages of pots, plates, and utensils. In some cases, cooking is done under exposed conditions, raising hygiene and safety concerns,” the report said.
Environmental implications were also noted, with the reliance on firewood threatening sustainability.
Inconsistent water and electricity supplies further disrupt food preparation, with Harare Remand Prison sometimes going a week without water, relying solely on boreholes that need electricity to function.
The report highlights critical shortages in inmates’ clothing and bedding, describing the situation as both undignified and dangerous.
“Inmates across most prisons are facing severe shortages of clothing and bedding, compromising both dignity and health, especially during winter,” the Committee observed.
At several prisons, inmates were found wearing torn uniforms, some without shoes and relied on relatives for basic supplies.
Blankets were in short supply, forcing prisoners to bring their own from home.
“In female sections, inmates also lacked feminine hygiene supplies, warm clothing, and diapers for children,” the report stated.
“The shortage was particularly concerning given the presence of mothers with infants.”
The Committee concluded that the state of clothing and bedding provision “is inadequate, uneven and a clear violation of inmates’ basic rights to humane treatment.”
One of the most alarming findings came from the Committee’s assessment of healthcare services within ZPCS facilities, stating severe underfunding, critical shortages of medication and a lack of qualified medical personnel.
“The Committee observed that healthcare services within ZPCS remained severely under-resourced and inadequate, undermining the constitutional right of inmates to basic health and medical care,” said the committee.
Almost all prisons visited such as Harare Remand, Hurungwe, Khami, Marondera, Chikurubi, Chipinge and Gwanda, reported frequent shortages of essential drugs for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and mental health disorders.
“In several instances, inmates were entirely dependent on relatives for the supply of essential medicines,” the report noted, adding psychiatric patients were particularly affected due to the unavailability of psychiatric drugs.
The Bindura Prison clinic was found lacking basic infrastructure, such as a toilet, a fridge for storing medication and adequate space.
In many prisons, one nurse caters to hundreds of inmates, correctional officers and even local community members.
Despite these challenges, the Committee acknowledged ongoing efforts supported by government and donors, including ARV supply chains and limited mental health counselling services.
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