A report by the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has revealed human rights violations in the country’s prisons and police cells.
Findings from MHRC’s monitoring exercise, conducted in August this year, show that despite a slight decrease in inmate numbers due to presidential pardons, overcrowding remains a persistent issue, particularly in male sections.
MHRC also conducted a similar exercise in Malawi Police cells as part of the mandate to promote and ensure respect for human rights for all Malawians, including prisoners in the country.
MHRC Commissioner Boniface Massa said at the time of the exercise in August 2024, 14 children were found accompanying their mothers in prison, with insufficient care, food, and early childhood development programs.
As of August this year, Masa said police cells across the 22 formations housed 2,180 suspects, with men comprising 93% of the total population.
Massa emphasised the need for urgent reforms in Malawi’s police formations, focusing on overcrowding, improved access to legal aid, and the fair treatment of vulnerable detainees. “Disseminating these findings will provide a platform for further discussion and advocacy to drive these necessary reforms,” said Massa.
In response to the report, both Commissioner General of the Malawi Prison Service, Masauko Wiscot, and National Police Assistant spokesperson, Felix Misomali, acknowledged that the report accurately reflects the reality on the ground.
Wiscot noted that while the official holding capacity is around 16,000 inmates, they currently exceed that limit due to an influx of detainees beyond their control.
