RIGHTS BEHIND BARS
A Study of Prison Conditions In Zimbabwe 2018
a weekly basis, and inmates with terminal illnesses were not transferred to the satellite prison as it is
focused on agricultural activities.100 Nurse aides monitor the administration of treatment on inmates
to screen for the development of common illnesses, and inmates that develop serious conditions are
transferred back to the main prison.101 The Whawha Young Offenders Prison always had medication
for Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Pellagra and Communicable Diseases, however no medication was available
for common cancers.102 Despite dealing primarily with mental patients, Mlondolozi Prison experienced
chronic shortages of mental health drugs and this poses a high risk to both the inmates and care givers.
There were real dangers of relapsing. When mental health patients do not receive their drugs on time
they become very violent.103
The scarcity of medication at most of the prisons constitutes a barrier to the realisation of the highest
attainable standard of physical and mental health for prisoners as provided for in the ICESCR, the ACHPR
and the DEVAW.104 This means that the State is unable to realise its obligation to ensure that prisoners
receive medical attention and treatment when they are sick in terms of Article 16(2) of the ICESCR and
section 50(5)(d) of the Constitution.105 It is, however, commendable to note that medication for HIV/AIDS
was available at all the prisons, save for Whawha Young Offenders Prison. This largely complies with the
provisions of section 76(2) of the Constitution which gives every person living with a chronic illness the
right to have access to basic healthcare services for the illnesses. Cancer is also classified as a chronic
illness, therefore medication for cancers should be available to all prisoners as stipulated by section
76(2) of the Constitution.
One compelling issue relates to support services for patients. The Health Officer at Bindura Farm
Prison highlighted that there should be health education every morning, but it was usually done on the
weekends. The health education was usually on Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS but specific health issues
affecting the prisoners were also addressed. Voluntary testing and Provider Initiative Testing were also
done.106 At Mutare Farm Prison, health Information Education and Communication (IEC) material were
available to prisoners upon request and where the need arises.107 Health support groups and health
education sessions were conducted daily at the Mutare Farm Prison and regularly at the Tabudirira
Satellite Prison to address prisoners individually or collectively.108 At Whawha Young Offenders Prison,
the available support groups were only for HIV/AIDS, whilst at Tabudirira, there were no IEC materials
on health at the time of the visit.109 The report at Tabudirira Prison indicates that upon the release
or transfer of prisoners, counselling and comprehensive referral assessments are conducted, an exit
medication package was provided and communication with the relevant community health facility were
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
ZACRO and the Forum Tabudirira Satellite Prison Visit Report, 2.
ZACRO and the Forum Tabudirira Satellite Prison Visit Report, 2.
ZACRO and the Forum Whawha Young Offenders Prison Visit Report, 4.
ZACRO and the Forum, Mlondozi Prison Monitoring Visit Report, 6.
ICESCR article 12(1), ACHPR Article 16(1), DEVAW Article 3(f).
ICESCR Article 16(2)
ZACRO and the Forum, Bindura Farm Prison Monitoring Visit Report, 2-3.
ZACRO and the Forum Mutare Farm Prison Visit Report, 3.
ZACRO and the Forum Mutare Farm Prison Visit Report, 3; ZACRO and NGO Forum Tabudirira Satellite Prison Visit Report, 3.
ZACRO and the Forum Tabudirira Satellite Prison Visit Report, 3.
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