Zimbabwe: No to Condoms for Prisoners, Says National Prison Service

THE Zimbabwe Prison Service says it will never provide condoms to inmates despite acknowledging the existence of homosexuality and HIV and AIDS among prisoners.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Thematic Committee on Human Rights yesterday, ZPS Deputy Commissioner Agrey Huggins Machingauta said providing condoms in cells for purposes of homosexuality was tantamount to legalizing a crime.

He said prisons will only provide condoms in cells should Zimbabwe legalize homosexuality.

Dep Comm Machingauta appeared be-fore the committee on behalf of Commissioner of Prisons Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi. He was responding to questions from senators who wanted confirmation on reports that there was rampant homosexuality in prisons and how ZPS was addressing the issue.

They asked if ZPS will follow other countries that provide condoms in cells to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS.

"Yes, yes. Let me say a big yes, we know that this activity (homosexuality) takes place in our prisons because we receive reports.

"I have been an officer-in charge in a number of prisons and we used to receive reports whenever the parties are not in agreement and even when they are in agreement, but there is a witness to the act that these two were committing sodomy. If they are in agreement they might try to deny it but as long there is a witness we take corrective measures.

"In terms of the Prisons Act, it is an offence and we actually have legal powers to try and punish.

"There are hardcore criminals who would indulge in anything but once a report is made, we take corrective action.

"On the issue of condoms, we cannot issue them out to inmates until this House (Parliament) passes legislation to legalize homosexuality in Zimbabwe," he said.

Dep Comm Machingauta, however, played down the extent of homosexuality in prisons, saying inmates were now aware of the dangers of contracting HIV.

Director of the AIDS and TB programme in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Dr Owen Mugurungi last year said his Ministry was working with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs to address challenges involving the spread of HIV and AIDS in prisons.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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