SDA Bolsters ZPCS Rehabilitation Efforts

By Everisto Zhuwao

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has strengthened the rehabilitation efforts of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) by donating essential materials and awarding certificates to inmates who completed spiritual studies.

The handover ceremony and graduation were held at Mutare Remand Prison last Friday, highlighting the growing role of religious organisations in transforming the lives of offenders.

The SDA Church donated a cabin office to support the station’s chaplaincy services. In addition, the church provided 100 metres of orange fabric to be used in sewing inmates’ uniforms.

Beyond the material donations, the event also celebrated academic achievement, as male and female inmates graduated after successfully completing the SDA Voice of Prophecy theological course. The programme focuses on spiritual growth and moral development.

Mutare Remand Prison Officer-in-Charge, Superintendent Wallace Mbanje, commended the church for its continued support.

“ZPCS and the SDA Church’s collaborative efforts towards the rehabilitation and skills development of inmates have been yielding positive results across the country. As a station, we are grateful for the gifts you have brought for us,” said Superintendent Mbanje.

Church representatives said their support extends beyond prison walls, pledging to assist former inmates with income-generating projects upon their release to help reduce the chances of reoffending.

Spiritual rehabilitation is increasingly being recognised as a key pillar of the ZPCS rehabilitation strategy. Authorities believe that by addressing both the mind and spirit, inmates can successfully reintegrate into society as productive citizens.