Southern Africa Network of Prisons - SANOP

06/08/2026

On the sidelines of the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) held last week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Robert Carr Fund (RCF) commemorated its 15th Anniversary, bringing together partners from around the world to celebrate a decade and a half of advancing the health, rights, and wellbeing of underserved communities.
The celebration provided an opportunity for the Southern Africa Network of Prisons (SANOP) to reflect on and share the remarkable journey of our partnership with the Robert Carr Fund from the early days of our collaboration to the meaningful impact we continue to make today.
Through the invaluable support of the Robert Carr Fund, SANOP has strengthened its work in promoting equitable access to health services, advancing human rights, and empowering communities within correctional settings across Southern Africa.
Today, SANOP is proud to be implementing the YouthPoPs Project, supported by the Robert Carr Fund, which is empowering young people in prisons, correctional facilities, and surrounding communities through peer education, health promotion, advocacy, and community reintegration initiatives.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Robert Carr Fund for 15 years of championing community-led responses and investing in organisations that work to ensure that no one is left behind.
Congratulations on this important milestone, and here's to many more years of partnership, innovation, and impact.

(In the photo is SANOP Regional Director, Tafadzwa Sekeso and RCF Director, Felicia Wong and team)

VSO SADC

31/07/2026

This week, the Southern Africa Network of Prisons (SANOP) is proudly participating in the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, represented by our Executive Director, Tafadzwa Sekeso. This year’s theme is Rethink, Rebuild, Rise.
As the world's largest gathering on HIV and global health, AIDS 2026 provides an important platform for SANOP to amplify the voices of people in prisons, correctional facilities, and those transitioning back into communities. We are contributing to critical conversations on health equity, human rights, and inclusive access to healthcare for some of the most underserved populations in Southern Africa.
SANOP remains committed to advancing human dignity, strengthening intersectional and people-centred health services, and advocating for policies and partnerships that ensure no one is left behind, including people in correctional settings and former inmates.
Our participation at AIDS 2026 reinforces our commitment to learning, collaboration, and sharing innovative approaches that improve health outcomes and promote social justice across the region.
Together, we can build healthier, more inclusive correctional systems and communities.

15/07/2026

STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEMS THROUGH PEER HEALTH EDUCATION IN MALAWI'S CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
The SANOP Malawi Chapter recently conducted a three-day Peer Health Education (PHE) Training at Lilongwe (Maula) Prison, bringing together 20 participants, comprising 15 inmates and 5 prison officers.
Facilitated by the Lilongwe Prison Health Department, the training forms part of SANOP's commitment to strengthening health promotion within correctional settings by building the capacity of both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff to serve as peer health educators.
The workshop equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills in key health areas, including HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), monitoring and evaluation, referral pathways, data collection, and action planning. These competencies are essential for improving health literacy, promoting disease prevention, facilitating timely referrals, and supporting healthier correctional environments.
Through interactive discussions, case studies, group exercises, and practical learning sessions, participants strengthened their understanding of the complex health challenges affecting correctional populations. The training also reinforced the important role that peer educators play in extending health information, encouraging positive health-seeking behaviours, reducing stigma, and supporting access to health services within correctional facilities and during community reintegration.
The training concluded with participants developing facility-specific action plans that will guide the implementation of peer-led health promotion initiatives within Lilongwe (Maula) Prison. Participant feedback demonstrated increased confidence, improved technical knowledge, and a strong commitment to applying the skills acquired to improve health outcomes among their peers.
Peer Health Education remains a proven and cost-effective approach to strengthening prison health systems by empowering those closest to the challenges to become part of the solution. By investing in peer educators, SANOP continues to contribute to healthier correctional facilities, strengthened institutional capacity, and the promotion of dignity, human rights, and equitable access to health services for people in contact with the criminal justice system.
We extend our appreciation to the Lilongwe Prison Health Department, prison leadership, facilitators, and all participants for their commitment to advancing health and wellbeing within Malawi's correctional system.
Together, we continue to build healthier, more inclusive, and rights-based correctional systems across Southern Africa.

19/06/2026

SANOP Zambia is pleased to announce its election as Co-Secretary of the Prisons Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) alongside the Zambia Correctional Service. We also congratulate Ubumi Prisons Initiative on its election as Co-Chair, serving together with ZCS.
The elections were held during a two-day PHAC meeting, which concluded on Friday 12th June 2026, marking the beginning of a new two-year mandate for the committee's leadership. This appointment reflects the confidence and trust placed in SANOP's commitment to advancing prison health, strengthening partnerships, and supporting evidence-based interventions that improve the wellbeing of incarcerated persons and correctional staff.
SANOP looks forward to working closely with ZCS, Ubumi, government institutions, cooperating partners, and civil society organisations to promote quality health services and strengthen coordination within the correctional system over the next two years.

18/06/2026

VSO, through the ACTIVE Extension Project, facilitated a Policy and Advocacy Training in Samfya District for members of SANOP Zambia and Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD). The training was designed to strengthen participants' advocacy knowledge, skills, and capacity to effectively identify, articulate, and engage stakeholders on issues affecting their communities and target groups. Participants explored key topics including advocacy principles, disability-inclusive advocacy and accessibility, community problem analysis, stakeholder mapping, advocacy messaging, influencing decision-makers, and the development of advocacy action plans.
The training provided a valuable platform for participants to enhance their understanding of effective advocacy and strengthen their ability to promote inclusion, accountability, and social justice within their communities and correctional settings. Through interactive learning and practical exercises, SANOP and ZAFOD members gained tools to engage duty bearers, influence policy processes, and amplify the voices of vulnerable and marginalised groups.
SANOP Zambia extends its appreciation to Voluntary Service Overseas for facilitating the training under the ACTIVE Extension Project and for its continued commitment to empowering civil society organisations and community advocates to drive positive and inclusive change.
With VSO

18/06/2026

From 1st to 4th June 2026, SANOP Zambia successfully conducted a Peer Education Training Workshop at Samfya Correctional Facility, bringing together peer educators and community reintegration volunteers. The training aimed to strengthen participants' capacity to conduct effective awareness and sensitisation activities on health, human rights, inclusion, public services, and community reintegration in line with the Zambia Correctional Service Health Strategic Plan. Topics covered included safeguarding, health and human rights, peer education and counselling, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, mental health, epilepsy, musculoskeletal diseases, communication in healthcare provision, community sensitisation methodologies, and the effects of drug and substance use on health. The training was supported by VSO under the ACTIVE Extension project.
Through interactive discussions and practical learning sessions, participants enhanced their knowledge and skills to serve as agents of positive change within correctional facilities and their communities. SANOP Zambia remains committed to promoting health, dignity, inclusion, and successful reintegration through capacity building and partnerships that strengthen correctional and community-based support systems.

16/06/2026

Every child deserves a childhood. The Day of the African Child.

09/06/2026

The Southern Africa Network of Prisons (SANOP) Zimbabwe successfully conducted a training on the SADC Minimum Standards on Health for 43 senior correctional officers at Chikurubi Staff College.
The training brought together senior correctional officers from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and Rwanda, providing a valuable platform for regional learning, collaboration, and the strengthening of health service delivery within correctional settings.
Key topics covered included HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Drug and Substance Use, Mental Health, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), among other critical health issues affecting correctional populations.
Using SANOP's Peer Education Model, participants were equipped with knowledge and practical approaches to effectively cascade health information and promote positive health outcomes within their respective correctional institutions.
SANOP remains committed to strengthening prison health systems and advancing the implementation of regional standards that safeguard the health, dignity, and human rights of people in correctional settings.

29/05/2026

SANOP Zimbabwe successfully convened a stakeholder review meeting for the Regional Peer Education Manual, bringing together key partners to assess, strengthen, and enhance the content of this important resource.
The review process was highly participatory and generated rich discussions, valuable insights, and constructive recommendations from stakeholders representing government, civil society, health, and community-based organisations.
Participating organisations included the National AIDS Council, Zimbabwe AIDS Network, Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV, Network of Positive Women in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), AFRIYAN, Community Volunteers, and VSO Zimbabwe.
The meeting focused on reviewing and consolidating feedback on the manual. The comments and recommendations gathered will now be incorporated into the document before it is shared with a wider group of stakeholders for validation.
SANOP Zimbabwe remains committed to promoting evidence-based peer education approaches that strengthen health, wellbeing, and community engagement across the region.

22/05/2026