The Maldives Correctional Service has implemented its first increase in prisoner labour allowances in nearly two decades, introducing a revised compensation framework intended to address longstanding concerns over outdated remuneration. The adjustment, effective from 16 July, marks a significant recalibration of policy within the nation’s correctional system.
Under the new structure, inmates participating in labour programmes will receive a minimum daily allowance of USD 3.24, up from the previous rate of USD 1.95. The scheme also establishes a tiered payment model, with allowances rising to a maximum of USD 9.73 per day, contingent upon the nature and classification of the work performed.
The decision followed a comprehensive review of existing policies, according to Correctional Service officials. They noted that the rates had remained static for approximately twenty years and no longer reflected prevailing economic conditions.
Inmates serving extended sentences are regularly assigned to work programmes within correctional facilities. These tasks, classified by grade, span a broad range of vocational activities: welding, handicrafts, agriculture, masonry, laundry services, and other unit-specific operations. Certain specialised projects, the Correctional Service added, had previously warranted supplementary allowances even before the current revision.
Although the financial adjustment is substantial, officials highlighted the rehabilitative dimension of the labour programmes. Structured to equip inmates with vocational skills, the initiatives are intended to support reintegration into society as capable and productive individuals. Exhibitions showcasing inmate craftsmanship and agricultural output have been held periodically to illustrate the scope of these efforts.