Prisoners assured of better living conditions

The Public Relations Officer for Malawi Prison, Steve Meke, has assured transformed living standards to prisoners following the implementation of the New Prison Act 2025, which ensures prisons have a reasonable number of convicts.

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In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Malawi Prison Public Relations Officer (PRO), Meke, emphasised that the development has come as a great shift for the punitive regime of prison administration to a modern approach.

He explained that reducing overcrowding of inmates is one key aspect through which the amendment of the New Prison Act 2025 has been put into consideration under section 23, allowing for convicted offenders who have served half of their sentences to serve the remainder of their years in their communities, but under supervision.

“Being overcrowded is not one way of giving punishment to offenders; prisoners must also exercise human rights like any other person who deserves better living standards.

“The acquisition of skills that the inmates have gained while in Prison will economically empower them. Once they are released from prison, they will be self-reliant because the skills they have acquired will benefit them,” said Meke.

One of the ex-prisoners, Chinsinsi Divala, said the Act would be a game-changer as it would shift the traditional way of living in congested cells that contributed to poor living conditions, resulting in the spread of communicable diseases.

“I was convicted in Maula Prison for 7 years. I finished my sentence in 2017. The living environment was not conducive; we ate food once because of overpopulation.

“I commend the commissioners for implementing the act that would improve the accommodation and well-being of prisoners,” said Divala.