necessary, the training curricula for prison officers should be reviewed to adequately focus on human rights protection and promotion. 9. Recommendations The ZHRC makes the following specific recommendations for action: i. The Parliament of Zimbabwe to vote for an adequate budget for the ZPCS to ensure the improvement of prisons countrywide with regards to their infrastructure and living conditions of inmates especially on meeting the minimum dietary scale to avoid cases of malnutrition and provision of special diet for inmates with illnesses and conditions that require special diet. ii. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) is encouraged to send a team to visit the Whawha Young Offenders’ Prison so as to appreciate the educational needs of the young offenders. There is need to source essential textbooks for the inmates, ensuring that UNICEF books are fully utilized, and providing computers so that inmates are exposed to current technological trends. Efforts should also be made to engage MOPSE and the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council concerning the exemption of inmates from paying examinations registration fees. iii. On allegations of excessive use of corporal punishment and other inhuman or degrading treatment, the ZHRC recommends this allegation should be fully investigated by the ZPCS, and if necessary the ZHRC should conduct further investigation. Otherwise the use of alternative means of discipline as provided for the in the Prisons Act and Prisons Regulations should be enforced by the ZPCS. Positive discrimination should also be accorded to disabled inmates in relation to labour provision. iv. The ZHRC recommends that the Ministry of Finance avails funds for urgent maintenance and repairs and refurbishment of infrastructure at Whawha ‘Young Offenders’ Prison. Attention should be paid on the state of the cells and improved ventilation in old the classrooms, securing all prisons cells with doors to protect inmates from environmental elements such as rain and the Page 20 of 21