Innocence Behind Bars: Zimbabwe’s Children Living in Prison with Their Mothers

In Zimbabwe, approximately 44 children live in prisons with their incarcerated mothers. Most of the children are under 2 years old. Children can stay with their incarcerated mothers in prison until they are 2 years old, then they are transferred to relatives or an institutional home.

In Harare, on 16 June, 77 opposition activists were arrested while observing Youth Day, including a mother and her one-year-old child. The activists are in remand prison facing charges of holding an unauthorized political gathering. The one-year-old- child is sharing a crowded cell with their mother.

There are 46 prisons in Zimbabwe. Out of all the facilities, two are solely for female inmates, 17 are exclusively for men, and the others allow both genders. Zimbabwe’s prisons are overcrowded and life-threatening inmates experience shortage of clothing and poor sanitary conditions. The prison food often makes inmates sick and does not meet the nutritional requirements for children.

Apart from the prisons being overcrowded, terminally ill patients share cells with other prisoners and children jailed with their mothers share these conditions.

Critics have argued that it’s unfair but also unconstitutional, for children to be behind bars.

But the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) have defeated the position, saying it provides “a safe and supportive environment for everyone.”

“ZPCS has amongst its population children living with their mothers who are imprisoned. ZPCS is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone in its care, including children,” said ZPCS.