A Case of Criminals in Zimbabwe: Reflections on Recidivism and the Effects on Communities in Less Developed Countries

Author(s): Dr. Paul Samuel Tamuno and Dr. Gregory Esangbedo

Abstract:

In Zimbabwe right now, crime and criminality are reaching previously unheard-of proportions. Jails are overcrowded, thus decongestion measures and the idea of open prisons are being considered. For instance, the Harare Central Prison has a daily holding capacity of 1470 inmates, but on average it holds more people each day. The efforts to encourage practical skills to help convicts reintegrate into society are not succeeding in sufficiently rehabilitating the offenders. While they are serving their prison sentences for the crimes they committed, some of the offenders have been observed ridiculing efforts to pursue skill training. The study, which was grounded in the social learning theory, used a qualitative methodology with a sample taken from local prisons in the provinces of Harare, Mashonaland West, and Midlands. Interviews were employed in the study to gather information from the sample of 60 respondents. 52 of the responders were prisoners, while 8 were prison guards.

Keywords: Crime, criminals, vandalism of infrastructure, prison, Zimbabwe.

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