By Pemphero Malimba:
The Malawi Prison Service (MPS) has expressed its hope that the Prisons Bill will address the persistent issue of overcrowding in the country’s correctional facilities.
MPS Commissioner General Masauko Wiscot said the new bill includes provisions for the early release of prisoners, such as parole and community service, which could alleviate overcrowding once it is passed.
“Our laws have been finalised and shortly, we will see the bill going to Parliament for deliberation and approval. We believe that when this bill becomes law, the issue of overcrowding will be addressed,” Wiscot said.
- Advertisement -
According to Wiscot, more convicts would serve their sentences within their communities through community service.
- Advertisement -
He added that the service is moving in the right direction to improve its staffing levels.
“Last year, we graduated 723 prison officers and this time we have 991 recruits undergoing training at Mapanga Prison Training School.
“We feel that when these recruits graduate and are posted to various prison facilities, the issue of staff shortages will be resolved,” he said.
Last week, a 2024 Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) monitoring report on prisons revealed that the country’s prisons continue to face numerous operational challenges.
- Advertisement -
The report identified overcrowding as one of the key issues.
MHRC Commissioner Bonface Massa expressed optimism that authorities would act on the recommendations made in the report.
For some time now, human rights groups have been advocating for the tabling and passing of the Prisons Bill, the first draft of which was made in 2003.
It seeks to reform the current law, which was enacted in 1956.
Recently, Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance Executive Director Victor Mhango told The Daily Times that the bill would aid in the effective rehabilitation of prisoners.
“The new bill will create a parole system, which will help alleviate the major overcrowding and inhumane conditions that detainees currently face, signalling a move towards humane treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees,” Mhango said.
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Frank Namangale also informed The Daily Times that the bill is one of the ministry’s priorities.
Currently, there are over 16,000 inmates against a holding capacity of 8,000 across Malawi’s prisons.
