By Pemphero Malimba:
President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 222 convicted prisoners and granted a general amnesty of nine months to qualified inmates across the country’s prisons.
This is contained in a statement signed by Linda Moyo on behalf of the Secretary for Homeland Security, dated January 1, 2026.
According to the statement, Mutharika issued the pardons and granted the amnesty while exercising powers accorded to him by the Constitution as part of Christmas and New Year festive season celebrations.
The pardons applied to convicted prisoners who had served half of their sentences, the elderly, females and the chronically ill.
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“The prisoners who have been pardoned are those who have met the requirements of the Guidelines for the Granting of Pardon to Convicted Prisoners and have demonstrated good behavioural reform while serving their sentences.
“Furthermore, His Excellency the State President has also granted a General Amnesty to convicted prisoners serving determinate sentences as an act of clemency during this festive season,” the statement reads.
It further indicates that the General Amnesty applies to all convicted prisoners except those with relapsed criminal behaviour and others specified.
“The General Amnesty will only apply to all convicted prisoners except those with relapsed criminal behaviour or recidivism and those convicted of the following classes of offences: murder, trafficking in persons, manslaughter, arson, armed robbery, robbery with violence, burglary, rape, defilement, and offences against persons with albinism or persons with disabilities,” the statement says.
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It further says the General Amnesty will reduce sentences by nine months, leading to a 15 percent reduction in the prison population or 2,640 inmates.
Commenting on the development, Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance Executive Director Victor Mhango said the pardons and amnesty were a step towards addressing overcrowding and improving humane conditions within the country’s correctional system.
“If implemented transparently and in line with the law, this action reflects a commitment to justice reform, rehabilitation and efficient use of state resources,” Mhango said.
He added that he expected long-term reforms for the country’s prisons.
“Going forward, we expect this initiative to be part of broader long-term reforms such as faster case processing, alternatives to incarceration for minor offences, and stronger rehabilitation programmes to ensure lasting impact rather than short-term relief,” he said.
The country’s prisons currently house about 15,000 prisoners.
