A new correctional policy is set to change conditions within Zimbabwe’s prison system, as authorities confirm that selected inmates may now be granted temporary leave to return home for private family visits with their partners. The initiative, commonly referred to as conjugal rights, is being rolled out as a pilot programme aimed at strengthening family bonds and promoting rehabilitation rather than punishment alone.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) said the move reflects a broader shift towards corrective justice. The trial phase is currently taking place at Marondera Female Open Prison and Connemara Prison, where inmates with proven records of good behaviour are being considered. Officials described the programme as an early step within a wider parole framework being gradually introduced nationwide.
ZPCS spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi, said family involvement is key to meaningful rehabilitation, noting that maintaining close emotional ties helps inmates prepare for life after incarceration.
She explained that the forthcoming parole system will formally accommodate such family visits, adding that some inmates at Marondera Female and Connemara prisons have already begun benefiting from the arrangement, with visits taking place at their homes rather than within prison facilities.
Khanyezi stressed that rehabilitation is a shared responsibility, involving not only correctional authorities but also families and communities.
“As ZPCS, we cannot rehabilitate inmates alone. Families and communities have an important role to play, as offenders come from society and will eventually return to it,” she said.
Further details were recently shared by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Moses Chihobvu, who addressed female inmates on the proposed parole system. He explained that the reforms could allow certain prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentences at home under supervision. Reports from December 2025 indicated that the announcement was met with enthusiasm among inmates.
Under the planned framework, a dedicated Parole Board will assess and select eligible inmates, prioritising those who demonstrate sustained good conduct and progress in rehabilitation programmes, while balancing public safety with humane and restorative correctional practices.
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