Zimbabwe’s 46 prisons — most built during the colonial era — are holding far more people than they were designed for, and the health consequences are severe. This fact sheet, produced under the Youth Prison Population Alliance (Youth POPs) project, paints a detailed picture of the state of prison health in Zimbabwe: from overcrowding and infrastructure decay, to the remarkable on-the-ground work being done by SANOP, VSO, ZPCS, peer educators, and community volunteers to close the gap. With over 2,000 inmates and ex-inmates accessing health services by June 2024, and youth-friendly spaces, HIV treatment support groups, and differentiated care models being rolled out across facilities including Chikurubi, Harare Central, and Whawha, progress is real — but fragile. Read the full fact sheet for a data-driven, human-centred account of what it takes to deliver dignified healthcare behind bars.
Prison Health in Zimbabwe: Facts, Challenges & Progress Under the Youth POPs Project
