lesser fear of overcrowding. Although females constitute 51% of the national population they
account for only 5% of the total prison population.
Indeed at Kadoma Prisons a small female section with a holding capacity for 30 had 17
prisoners with 8 officers. However this is to be contrasted with Chikurubi Female Prison which
had 375 inmates although its capacity is 287; and in 1991, Mupfiga calculated that female
offenders admitted into prisons represented 8.6% of total admission (op.cit. p.7). In terms of
space, male prisoners at Kadoma Prisons ha d more room that planned for: 564 occupied space
constructed for 670. They also had a staff of 160.
As partial solution to the problem of overcrowding a former military barracks with a holding
capacity of 6,000 has been acquired.
Remand
Out of the total of 16,000 prisoners 4,500 of them were on remand. 4,000 of the latter figure
may generally be on remand for 6 months, and the remaining 500 beyond six months. At
Kadoma Prison while some prisoners on remand may stay for less than one year, others stay
for 12 or 18 to 24 months. It was said that screening by psychiatrists to determine the mental
state of entrants is not fast enough and it accounted in part for long demand; delay by the
police and prosecutors being the other major contributory factor.
At Chikurubi Female Prison and Kadoma Farm Prison, prisoners on remand were
distinguishable from those serving sentences by their uniform, and at the latter by sitting
arrangement when I met and talked to them in a Hall about my assignment.
Labour, Trade and Skills
Harare Prison has an impressive set of workshops which provide training and working at
known trades by the inmates. A mechanic section gives training in engine-tune ups, engine
overhauls, suspension, steering overhauls, gearbox repairs, brakes overhaul, wheels, clutch
overhauls, auto-electric and general service. A Prison Officer who is a qualified mechanic, and
was assisted by five other officers with similar qualifications, was in charge of the mechanics
section. Understudying the officers were 37 prisoners. Most of these had no previous
knowledge of mechanics, but, as part of the scheme they would be trade-tested by the
Ministry of Higher Education and the successful ones issued with certificates which would
enhance their prospects of employment, or give them the confidence to start their own small
trade.
Under a welding section were moulding and forging sectors. There were also a panel beating
and spray painting section.
A carpentry section whose supply of logs comes from prison farms make filing shelves for the
Ministry of Justice, and repair furniture of the Prisons, Army and Ministry of Justice. Corner
stands, beds and display cabinets, chairs and doors are also made at this carpentry. 74
prisoners in the carpentry had 2 prison officers as supervisors. A prisoner with experience in
carpentry shared his skills with his mates.
Television sets, wireless and iron were repaired at an electrical repair wing of the workshop.
Carving engaged the attention of some prisoners. A large tailoring shop with 106 machines had