Investigating the causes of recidivism of inmates in Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service: a case study of Harare Central Prison

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the causes of recidivism among inmates at Harare Central Prison, within the framework of the United Nations Nelson Mandela Rules and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Act. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine the socio-economic factors contributing to recidivism, to investigate the influence of correctional rehabilitation programmes on recidivism, and to establish effective strategies for reducing recidivism. Adopting an interpretivist paradigm and a case study research design, the study employed semi-structured in-depth interviews with 25 participants comprising 15 recidivist inmates, 5 correctional officers and rehabilitation staff, and 5 key informants including former correctional officials, academics, NGO programme managers and a parole board member. The study was guided by the integrated theoretical framework of the Risk-Need-Responsivity Model and Social Support Theory. The findings revealed that socio-economic factors, including unemployment and economic marginalization, substance abuse and addiction, family breakdown and social isolation, and housing instability and homelessness, are the primary drivers of recidivism. The study established that reducing recidivism requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that includes expanding access to rehabilitation programmes, improving programme quality and relevance, implementing individualized rehabilitation based on the Risk-Need-Responsivity Model, strengthening post-release support through community-based corrections, and addressing socio-economic barriers. The study concludes that the high recidivism rate at Harare Central Prison reflects systemic failures rather than individual failings and that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service is failing to fulfil its rehabilitative mandate as established in the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service Act and the Nelson Mandela Rules.