Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
THE proposed Prisons and Correctional Services Bill has raised hopes of release to prisoners serving life sentences as it makes them eligible for parole in a historic move that reverses their condemnation for life.

Parole is the conditional release of prisoners before they complete their sentences.

Speaking after a draft consultative workshop in Bulawayo last week, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, director legal services, Senior Assistant Commissioner Spetosomusa Chinobva, said one of the major changes in the draft Bill was the clause on parole.

The Bill, which The Chronicle is in possession of, provides for the establishment of the State Parole Board and sets conditions for one’s release from prison.

An inmate can be released through a decision made by the President, the State Parole Board, the Commissioner General of Prisons or the Minister responsible for Prisons and Correctional Services.

Prisoners serving life sentences can only be released at the President’s authorisation while the Minister is authorised to release prisoners serving 20 or more years.

Parole for inmates serving less than 20 years can be granted on the recommendation of the Commissioner General.

The State Parole Board is authorised to release inmates on day parole.

On day parole, the proposed legislation provides for the release of a convicted offender from imprisonment during the day, but the person would be required to return to prison each night.

Some of the considerations taken on board for one to be granted parole include whether or not an inmate has displayed meritorious conduct, self-discipline, responsibility and was industrious while in prison.

Persons to be pardoned must not present undue risk to society when on parole and their release must also be on condition that such action would contribute to the rehabilitation and re-integration of the inmate into society as a law abiding citizen.

There is a long chain for one to be released on parole while serving a life sentence.

The decision must be made by the President following a recommendation that passes through the State Parole Board, the Commissioner General as well as the Minister.

The Bill states those serving life imprisonment can only be released after the State Parole Board has conducted a hearing.

“The State Parole Board must be satisfied that there is a reasonable probability that such inmate will abstain from crime and likely to lead a useful, responsible and industrious life.

Such inmate has displayed a meritorious conduct during such minimum term of imprisonment and no longer has a tendency to engage in crime and the release of the inmate will contribute to the rehabilitation and re-integration of the inmate into society as a law abiding citizen,” reads the report.

“The President, on consideration of the report and comment from the Minister may authorise the release on full parole or probation of the inmate on the date and conditions recommended by the Minister or on such date and conditions as the President may determine.”

The proposed legislation says an inmate who is aggrieved by the decision of the State Parole Board, the Commissioner General or the Minister regarding the issue of parole or probation may appeal to the next responsible office.

Snr Ass Comm Chinobva said the Bill is also in line with a Constitutional Court judgment that was passed recently.

“The Constitutional Court recommended that we should put in place legislation or measures to ensure that inmates that are on life imprisonment are also offered the opportunity to be on parole so that’s one of the major introductions of the Bill,” he said.

In a landmark judgment handed down last week, the Constitutional Court declared it unconstitutional for inmates to serve life imprisonment without any possibility of parole or release on licence.

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