Distribution of Books. ZACRO extends maximum gratitude to Book Aid International for channeling books through University of Zimbabwe which the organization distributed to the Prison Library for use by prisoners and prison officers. In this intervention, ZACRO was committed to serve the cause of education and played crucial role in helping and rehabilitating prisoners. As the The high demand of learning result many inmates realized that education was fundamental materials in the prisons demand for examination and towards development, social progress and human trade tests fees and stationery freedom. They learnt that education is considered saw ZACRO step up to boast fundamental towards reducing poverty after equipped with educational development in technical skills. The project also raised the literacy level in the the prisons. prisons and demand for learning materials was high in 2008. ZACRO further noted that rate of recidivism was lowering after ex-offenders were either employed or engaged in self help projects after learning in the prisons. Very few former prisoners turned to commit crimes again after attaining academic achievements in the prisons. All proved that education can not be undermined as a cornerstone of rehabilitation among inmates, some of them who were sentenced for long periods such as ten years or above It therefore remained great wish by ZACRO to see that there was a library at every prison. The organization distributed over 1 000 various books to the inmates in the country’s penal institutions and by time of compiling this report ZACRO was still distributing the few remaining books to the target group. By August 2008 ZACRO distributed Books to following Zimbabwean prisons during 2008 Recipient (Prison) Mutare prison Khami Hwahwa Young Offenders Chikurubi Maximum Mazowe Hwange Chikurubi Farm Mutimurefu Number of academic books allocated to prisons.. 42 39 60 49 50 46 39 40 Recipient (Prison) Harare Central Kwekwe Bulawayo Masvingo Chinhoyi Mutoko Rusape Number of academic books allocated to prisons 58 47 34 59 60 57 29 Follow up and Evaluation ZACRO always made follow ups assuring that the donated books were fully made use of by the target group. Main concern was monopoly of the books by prison officers who were also out to better their educational status at the expense of the prisoners. Thus ZACRO followed up and assured that there was balance in use of the book such that they were shared equally among the inmates – in particular those learning in the prisons. Impact and Expected Results The following was noted by ZACRO after distributing the books and rendering of relevant support towards educational development in the country’s prisons. • There has been great interest among inmates to pursue education. • High level of literacy was gradually noted among inmates A number of inmates thus managed to pursue “O” levels and “A” level education in the prisons and a handsome number passed. • Some pursuing higher education were able to pass with many of these from Harare Central Prison workshop who were equipped with technical skills for use when securing employment engaged in self help projects. • Also provision of recreational books assured removal of boredom and stress associated with incarceration among the inmates. The result – the rate of recidivism lowered in the society after those engaged in learning while in the prisons were not turning to commit crimes again as many of these successfully sought employment or were engaged in income generating projects in the country. 40