Rhodesia Prison Service

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Rhodesia Prison Service
Zimbabwe - Prison Service badge image.jpg
Seal of the Rhodesia Prison Service
Flag of Rhodesia (1968–1979).svg
Agency overview
Formed1965; 57 years ago (1965)
Preceding agencies
  • Federal Prison Service
  • Southern Rhodesia Prison Service
Dissolved1980; 42 years ago (1980)
Superseding agency
HeadquartersSalisbury
MottoTenax et Justus
Latin: "Just and Tenacious"

The Rhodesia Prison Service (RPS) was a law enforcement agency of Rhodesia. A subdivision of the Rhodesian Security Forces, it was responsible for the administration of the Rhodesian prison system. Established in 1954 as the Southern Rhodesia Prison Department and incorporated into the federal prison service of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, it continued as the prison service of independent Rhodesia during the UDI period. Upon Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, it was dissolved and superseded by the .

The RPS was led by the director of prisons, who was assisted by a deputy director and an assistant director. The first director of prisons was in 1954, and the final officeholder was , serving from 1968 to 1980.

History[]

Prior to 1954, prisons in Southern Rhodesia were administered by the Southern Rhodesia Prison Department (SRPD).[1] On 30 November 1954, the of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland passed the Prisons Department Act (49/1954), which incorporated the SRPD into the (FPS), effective 1 December 1954.[2] This arrangement continued until December 1963, when the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland dissolved and autonomy was returned to the individual colonies of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland, the latter two of which gained independence in 1964 as Zambia and Malawi, respectively. From 1963, the service continued as the Southern Rhodesia Prison Service (SRPS).[1] In 1965, shortly before Rhodesia's unilateral declaration of independence from the United Kingdom, the SRPS began using the name Rhodesia Prison Service.[1]

In 1980, upon Zimbabwe's independence, the RPS was dissolved and superseded by the .

Organizational structure[]

Administration and personnel[]

The headquarters of the Rhodesia Prison Service was located at the corner of Fourth Street and Jameson Avenue (today renamed Samora Machel Avenue).[1]

# Ranks 1975
1 Director of Prisons
2 Deputy Director of Prisons
3 Assistant Director of Prisons
4 Senior Chief Superintendent
5 Chief Superintendent
6 Superintendent
7 Chief Prison Officer
8 Principal Prison Officer
9 Established Prison Officer
10 Prison Officer
11 Chief Warder
12 Sergeant Major
13 Sergeant
14 Corporal
15 Lance Corporal
16 Warder
Source: [3]

Prison system[]

The Rhodesia Prison Service administered more than 40 prisons.[1]

Rhodesian Prison Service prisons
Prison Location Security type Note(s)
Beitbridge
Bindura
Binga
Chiredzi Renamed Chiredzi Prison
Bulawayo Medium/Remand Commonly known as Grey Street Prison
Salisbury
Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison Maximum
Medium
Chipinga
Gwelo Closed 1979/80
Enkeldoorn Renamed Chivhu Prison
Fort Victoria Renamed Masvingo Prison
Gatooma Renamed Kadoma Prison Farm
Gonakudzingwa Detention Camp Vila Salazar Closed 1979
Fort Victoria Satellite of Fort Victoria Prison; farm prison
Gwanda
Gwelo Renamed Gweru Prison
Hartley Closed 1968
Formerly a prison
Karoi
Salisbury Satellite of Salisbury Central Prison
Bulawayo Maximum Held mentally ill prisoners
Medium
Open
Marandellas Renamed Marondera Prison
Mrewa Renamed Murewa Prison
Mtoko
Salisbury Satellite of Salisbury Central Prison
Nyamandhlovu Renamed Anju Prison Farm
Plumtree
Que Que Renamed Kwekwe Prison
Rusape
Salisbury Central Prison Salisbury Medium (Maximum & remand sections) Renamed Harare Central Prison
Remand Renamed Harare Central Remand Prison
Shabani Renamed Zvishavane Prison
Sinoia Renamed Chinhoyi Prison
Selukwe Renamed Shurugwi Prison
Wankie
Umtali Renamed Mutare Prison
Wankie Renamed Hwange Prison
Gwelo Maximum
Medium

Seal and flag[]

The seal of the Rhodesia Prison Service consists of a yellow lion with a red tongue and white claws, standing on a horizontal white bar. The background color of the circular emblem in which the lion stands is light green. Above the circle is the Zimbabwe Bird, of gold color and outlined in dark brown. Rising vertically through the center of the circle is a sheathed sword inlaid with silver design and with a black point. The hilt of the sword consisted of a gold guard and pommel, and a black and white grip. Curved around the edge of the interior of the circle are the words "Rhodesia Prison Service" in white color. The lines of the circle are black, there are two white circular borders: one around the lion, and another serving as the exterior border of the emblem. Below the circle, just beneath the hilt of the sword, is the red and yellow flower of the flame lily, Rhodesia's national flower.[1]

The flag of the Rhodesia Prison Service was a light green flag, of 2:1 proportions, with the RPS emblem in the center. The RPS emblem and flag were designed by Alan Simpson.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "RPS Home Page". www.rhodesianprisonservices.ca. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  2. ^ Beadle, Hugh (1963). The statute law of Southern Rhodesia, in force on or made before the 30th day of April, 1963. Printed by Mardon Rhodesian Printers. pp. 309–10.
  3. ^ "Rhodesia Prison Service Insignia." Prison Service of Rhodesia. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
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