By James Gwati- The government is neglecting over 400 inmates with mental illness who have been under this sad condition for the past 10 years.

The affected inmates are stuck at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) centres across the country following delays by the Mental Health Board in reviewing their cases for possible release.

The ZPCS’ major mental health institutions are Mlondolozi at Khami Prisons in Bulawayo and Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare.

Some of the prisoners have since recovered and are now eligible for release and reintegration into society. However, the Mental Tribunal Board which has the mandate to determine the release of these inmates through fitness evaluation, has not sat for the past 10 years resulting in congestion as the numbers continue ballooning.

Section 68 of the Mental Health Act provides for the establishment of mental health boards.

-Chronicle