7 Introduction and Acknowledgement At its 20th Ordinary Session which was held at Grand Bay, Mauritius, from 21-31 October 1996 the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights appointed me as Special Rapporteur on the above subject and charged me with the responsibility of revising the Draft Terms of Reference of my office which was considered by the Commission at that session. Taking the view that a report to the 21st Session on my activities over 6 months which consisted of only procedural matters would be less than adequate. I decided to study the prison regime and related matters of one of the State Parties to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. My decision for so doing stemmed from the fact that, whatever controversy there might be on the text to be revised, the study of prisons as contemplated by me would be an incontrovertible function of my office. Whatever portions which are excised from the original draft or amended, the study of prisons will remain. I was further fortified in my decision by the unanimous decision of a Consultation on the Draft Terms of Reference and matters connected therewith held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 8 - 12 January 1997 that a visit to the prisons of a country was a course of action worthy of pursuit. Being the first visit, and having to be planned within a short time, I took into account, in the selection of the country, factors such as language with which I am familiar, the likelihood of agreement from the relevant officials for my visit, the co-operation I was likely to get from state officials and NGOs working in the area of my study as well as good communication and road network which would make possible the accomplishment of much within a relatively short time. Mr. L. Chigwida, Commissioner of Prisons, Zimbabwe, and other officials were ready to receive me within a very short time of notification of my interest in visiting prisons in Zimbabwe. They extended to me every assistance I needed, and thus eased the burden of my task considerably. As he had done during my Promotional Visit to Zimbabwe in February 1995, the Attorney-General, Mr. P. A. Chiwamasa found time to have discussions