Presidential Amnesty: Examining the Controversial Path to Reconciliation

?I think amnesty is very good if it is properly planned. I do not have a problem with amnesties in general, though I am opposed to this current amnesty for reasons of lack of careful planning and preparedness. It is the government's duty to prepare both the soon-to-be discharged prisoners and its people. The community can be reached through sensitization programs. Communities should be sensitized to the importance of accepting discharged prisoners. Sensitization programs would allow communities to make decisions that are compassionate, inclusive of all, and informed. There must be common ground for communication. Communication is key to fostering better relationships between released prisoners and community members. Various communication platforms, such as schools, shopping centers, mainstream media, WhatsApp groups, or specialized classes, can facilitate non-threatening dialogue.

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The lack of employment is one of the most significant challenges faced by released prisoners. This is the main reason for high recidivism rates. Communities can be taught to prioritize hiring ex-offenders for job opportunities. The discharged prisoners themselves have a much bigger role to play in ensuring that they are well-received by the community. This can be achieved in various ways, like maintaining a positive attitude. One's attitude is often the first step towards changing one's actions. Released prisoners should work to change their negative attitudes to lead a positive and productive life. They must learn to respect others. While attempting to reintegrate into society, discharged prisoners should show respect, especially to those who might not have ever been imprisoned before and, most importantly, to the victim. Discharged prisoners must not be entitled or irresponsible. Instead of casting blame on others or the penal system, released prisoners should take responsibility for their past mistakes and strive to make better choices in the future.

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Thus, a balanced amnesty is sure to be the first step in establishing workable relationships between the community and ex-prisoners. I always jokingly refer to the prison system as tantamount to a private school. The institution's security concerns must remain of cordial importance however the ZPCS needs to change its overall outlook and its role within the community to be understood by the public. It is without any doubt enjoyable when the correctional department has music bands and choirs perform at community functions and events. In the same manner, prisoners should be allowed to tell their stories and relate to the community in a way that will benefit society.

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I have connected with many prisoners, exonerated people, and those who have fully served their sentences for rape, murder, and all types of robberies. Through these daily encounters, I have learned not to judge. A rare awakening comes with having a compassionate conversation with a criminal mind. I have learned that even the deadliest criminal is still a human being.

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The study of criminality is complex, way too complex, such that if the criminal justice system in Zimbabwe continues to be out of sync with current trends, research, and public concerns, it will soon be too late to reverse the consequences created by the cold war between society and criminal record holders.

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Still, public fears must not be ignored. The fears of the public when rapists and murderers are granted amnesty are understandable given the nature of their crimes and the potential risks to public safety. However, it is important to note that amnesty decisions are made based on a variety of factors, including the severity of the crime, the length of the sentence served, and the individual's behavior while in prison. While some individuals may be concerned about the potential risks associated with releasing violent offenders back into society, it is also important to consider the potential benefits of amnesty, such as reducing overcrowding in prisons and allowing individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and remorse for their actions to have a second chance at life outside of prison.

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Prisoner clemency can benefit families, especially children, in several ways. It allows the prisoners to return home to their families earlier than expected, reducing the amount of time that they spend away from their loved ones. This can help maintain family ties and relationships that may have been strained due to the separation caused by the imprisonment. An amnesty can also ease the financial burden on families who are struggling to make ends meet while supporting a family member in prison. With the release of the prisoner, families no longer have to bear the costs associated with prison visits and other expenses related to maintaining contact with their incarcerated loved one. The release of prisoners can also have positive effects on children's emotional well-being. Children may feel anxious or stressed when a parent is in prison, and an amnesty can provide them with relief and allow them to feel more secure and stable.

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Prisons do not in any way guarantee the community's safety, and amnesty or no amnesty does not have a long-term bearing on the country's spike in the crime rate. The world is actually moving towards the abolition of prisons because, unlike the much-favored restorative justice system, prison systems are known to advance harmful effects rather than actually resolve underlying problems. Prisons have become breeding grounds for gangs; they turn educated professionals into nothing, which disrupts careers in an awkward way and depletes human capital.

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When one leaves prison, they do so incapacitated and dehumanized; they become social outcasts. Vocational skills acquired are usually ineffective if the person lacks capital and resources. The current criminal justice system is punishment-oriented, though Zimbabwe is making certain changes that will become apparent after the promulgation of the pending bill. However, if those changes don't prioritize the treatment of underlying causes, such as poverty and mental health issues, then prisons will remain a false illusion of justice.

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Prisons are a mirage; we have innocent people who were sent to prison. Some guilty people are known in our communities but are still roaming around, and nobody is making noise about them. Most rich and prominent people who commit crimes are never arrested, no matter the offense. Rape is often perpetuated within families, and sometimes the molester is protected by relatives.

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Prisoners are being released every day of the year, some earlier for good behavior. That's clemency. How does an ordinary person determine whether a person is completely rehabilitated simply by looking at the sentence imposed versus the term served? The duration of the sentence is at the presiding officer's discretion based on the case as heard in court. The correctional department also has its own mandate.

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Prisons are responsible for impoverishing multitudes of families and exacerbating poverty within society. If you arrest a breadwinner, the entire family will suffer, especially children, who are likely to follow suit due to social and financial hardships as well as mental complications.

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In conclusion, amnesty is not the problem. We must strive as a nation to restructure the criminal justice system based on techniques that do not cause divisions. All criminal minds are to come back, with the obvious exception of the dead. What guarantee do we have for each case? The new system must be based on treatment rather than punishment. There will be a greater need for more psychological professionals and a sterling education. This system will ensure that time spent in prison is dedicated to working on a person's mindset, logic, and other factors that promote criminal tendencies. Restorative procedures also allow the victim and the family to have a say in the manner of a resolution that satisfies them.

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A restorative criminal justice system does not instil hatred but allows for counseling for both parties, fostering forgiveness and mending relationships. Future restorative practices will take into consideration the concerned parties, authorities, and stakeholders of interest.

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