RIGHTS BEHIND BARS A Study of Prison Conditions In Zimbabwe 2018 skills needed when they are released from prison. However, the workshops were ill-equipped or underutilised. This is a patent violation of international and domestic standards on access to education, vocational training and work. On the other hand, even when officers had the equipment and materials to use, there often had inadequate inmates to be working everywhere let alone in the workshops. Some inmates were so old and frail that they could not be deployed in any area that required physical strength.119 5.9. Juveniles deprived of their liberty 5.9.1 Separation of adults and young offenders in Zimbabwean prisons. Whawha Young Offenders is a juvenile prison that houses young male inmates under the ages of 21 years. It is located some 20 km outside of Gweru along the Gweru-Mvuma Highway. It was put in place as a measure to rehabilitate young persons in conflict with the law. The prison offers a respite to young people where they are taught good behaviour as well as being allowed to attend school. The establishment of Whawha Young Offenders as a separate custodial institution for young offenders ensures that juveniles deprived of liberty are not placed in adult prisons or other facilities that house adults. This positive step should be commended and complies with the international standards described above. Whawha Young Offenders makes it possible for the State to guarantee juveniles’ basic safety, well-being, and future ability to remain free from crime and to reintegrate into communities upon release. To this end, the government has largely complied with its international and domestic legal obligation to ensure that young offenders are kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18 years. However, the fact that the prison houses young offenders under the age of 21 years makes it theoretically possible for adult prisoners between 18 years and 20 years to interact with young offenders in their early teenage years. This may compromise the safety and future ability of young prisoners to be free from crime and to re-integrate. Similarly, at Harare Remand Prison, an adult accused person who had been fatally shot during an armed robbery was housed in the Juvenile Section of the prison.120 Although the accused is disabled and is unable to wake up or walk unassisted, his presence in the juvenile section violates juvenile detainees’ right to be kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18 years as provided for by the Constitution and international law. 5.9.2 Juvenile offenders’ right to be treated in a manner and kept in conditions that take account of the child’s age As shown above, the establishment of a separate institutions or sections for youth offenders is not of itself sufficient to comply with all requirements of the law. These institutions should be child-friendly and staffed by well-trained and child friendly officials. This is because every child offender has a justiciable 119 120 34 ZACRO and the Forum, Connemara Prison Monitoring Visit Report, 6-7. ZACRO and the Forum, Harare Remand Prison Monitoring Visit Report, 6. EGAP