Section 227: Prisons and Correctional Service and its functions
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) There is a Prisons and Correctional Service which is responsible forโ
(a) the protection of society from criminals through the incarceration and rehabilitation of
convicted persons and others who are lawfully required to be detained, and their
reintegration into society; and
(b) the administration of prisons and correctional facilities.
(2) The Prisons and Correctional Service must be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to the civilian authority as established by this Constitution.
(3) An Act of Parliament must provide for the organisation, structure, management, regulation, discipline and promotion and demotion of officers and other members and, subject to section 231, the conditions of service of members of the Prisons and Correctional Service.
This section establishes the Prisons and Correctional Service as more than just a detention system. It emphasizes a dual mandate: protecting society while also focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. The requirement for the Service to be "non-partisan" and "subordinate to civilian authority" reflects democratic principles of preventing the prison system from becoming a political tool. This balanced approach aligns with modern correctional philosophy that views incarceration not merely as punishment but as an opportunity for reform and societal reintegration.