Perceptions of citizens on releasing convicts under the presidential pardon in Zimbabwe: a case of Mazowe district.
- Author
- Madziwa, Patience
- Title
- Perceptions of citizens on releasing convicts under the presidential pardon in Zimbabwe: a case of Mazowe district.
- Abstract
- The aim of the study was to analyze the perceptions of citizens on the release of convicts under the presidential pardon in Zimbabwe a case study of Mazowe District. The study was guided by the theory of punishment, the literature revealed that they are positive and negative perceptions of citizens on the release of convicts. The study based on qualitative approach using a case study as the research design. The target population of the study was Mazowe district. Participants were selected basing on convenience sampling technique, 25 as the sample size. The study utilized in depth interviews and questionnaires to collect data. Research findings indicated the presidential pardon as fair, positive reintegration of convicts into communities and communities benefiting from skills attained during incarceration and family reunions. Research findings also indicated that the presidential pardon negatively encourages recidivism, poses risk to public safety and robs victims chance to recover from crimes caused by the perpetrator. Therefore, the study concluded that the presidential pardon perceptions depend on the specific circumstances on the nature of crime committed as some participants viewed the presidential pardon positively others negatively. It is recommended to establish a victim offender dialogue that allows victims to have a voice in the presidential pardoning of convicts. Further study should focus on the impact of the presidential pardon on crime rate.
- Date
- 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- presidential pardon, incarceration, recidivism, reintegration, restorative and retributive justice
- Supervisor
- NIL
- Item sets
- Department of Peace and Governance
