GOVERNMENT is working on a comprehensive programme aimed at improving conditions of prisoners, Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa said on Friday. He said while resources have been a perennial challenge to the prison service, it was his wish to give prisoners one of the best treatment one can think of.

The minister was giving oral evidence before a Senate Thematic Committee on Human Rights. “If I had my own way, with resources I would give a five-star treatment to all prisoners,” said Minister Chinamasa.

He said the ministry was carrying out a study on what ought to be done and would share with Parliament once he tabled it before Cabinet. “We did a study on a number of things, the conditions, clothing, diet, visits by relatives among other issues,” he said.

There was a legal statute that prescribes the minimum conditions of the prisoners like the frequency and amount of food that they ought to eat, said Minister Chinamasa.

He said this was not being observed owing to limited funding.

“When a study was done, it was said, on paper we are okay but not in practice,” he said.