Zimbabwe has introduced a new correctional policy allowing selected prisoners to temporarily return home to spend private time with their partners, in a move aimed at strengthening family ties and supporting rehabilitation.
The initiative, commonly referred to as conjugal rights, is being implemented under a pilot programme by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS). The trial is currently underway at Marondera Female Open Prison and Connemara Prison, where inmates with good conduct records are being considered.
According to ZPCS, the policy reflects a shift from purely punitive incarceration toward corrective and restorative justice. Officials say maintaining emotional and family bonds helps prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society.
ZPCS spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi, explained that the programme is linked to a broader parole system being rolled out across the country.
“The upcoming parole system will also address conjugal rights for inmates. Many in Marondera Female and Connemara Prisons have already begun to enjoy these rights while serving their sentences. Conjugal rights will be at the comfort of their homes, not in prisons,” she said.
She added that rehabilitation is a shared responsibility, involving families and communities, not just correctional authorities.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, Moses Chihobvu, also confirmed that the reforms could allow some inmates to complete their sentences at home under supervision, once the parole system becomes fully operational. His announcement in December 2025 reportedly sparked excitement among inmates.
Under the proposed framework, a Parole Board will select eligible prisoners, prioritising those who show consistent good behaviour and progress in rehabilitation programmes, while ensuring public safety.
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