The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has started its vaccination drive to prisons around the country.
The vaccination programme will ensure that all inmates, officers and their spouses will be vaccinated against the Covid-19.
The move will also ensure that Zimbabwean Prisons which accommodate 19 000 prisoners across the country are protected from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Addressing Journalists at Harare Central Prison yesterday, ZPCS Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu commended the government for their support in the ongoing process of the vaccination programme in prisons.
“We are very happy that the government has said they are going to support us in vaccinating our inmates, it shows that we are not discriminating because you are in prison but everyone who is part of ZPCS has to have a chance to be vaccinated, also officers are now being vaccinated and we are happy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Gobvu who was representing the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Virginia Mabhiza emphasized that the vaccination programme was an ongoing process which was meant to ensure that all Zimbabwean prisoners are safe from the Covid-19.
“We are here to witness the vaccination of our inmates, this is an ongoing programme which is being taken in all our prisons and all our prisoners want to be vaccinated against the deadly pandemic.
“The prisoners are very happy they all want to be vaccinated and this is the way to go to keep our prisons safe from Covid-19 whilst keep our prisoners healthy and free from this deadly virus,” he said.
Prisoners at Harare Central Prison also welcomed the vaccination programme.
Tinashe Madzivanyika who is serving 18 years at Harare Central Prison said he is very happy to be vaccinated as it was is a free exercise as well as a healthy safety measure against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are not forced to be vaccinated but we really wanted to receive the jab but because of prison conditions we were not able to be out there so we are very happy that the vaccination programme is here,” said Madzivanyika.
Another Harare Central Prison Inmate Mr Mushowani also hailed the prisoners vaccination programme.
“When things start to happen you will think about many things but when you start to see and observe what’s happening you will realise that there is something that needs to be done hence as inmates we welcome this vaccination programme here in prison,” he said.
Up to now ZPCS has recorded 2 754 confirmed cases since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic 1 846 recovered whilst 17 died. Currently ZPCS have 891 active cases in all prisons. In these active cases 206 are officers, 427 inmates and 258 dependents.