Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has revealed the prison population in the Maldives currently exceeds the capacity of prisons by 40%.
In response to a question posed by Parliamentarian Ahmed Haitham regarding the conditions of prisons in the Maldives, Home Minister Imran noted there are 4 prisons operated by the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS), with a total capacity of 1,300 inmates. However, the minister revealed there are currently 1,800 inmates in the prisons, exceeding capacity by 40%. He added efforts are ongoing to reduce the prison population by releasing inmates after conducting proper rehabilitation programmes to ensure they can reintegrate into the society.
Speaking further, the home minister noted previously all types of inmates used to be placed together in prisons. However, the minister said the current practice is to identify dangerous inmates with extremist or violent ideologies, and isolate them from the rest of the inmates. He added the ministry plans to establish a separate unit in prisons for such inmates, adding the development of the units should be completed within two months after resuming work following the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted arrangements are being made to conduct special rehabilitation programmes for such inmates.
Reiterating the importance of rehabilitation and training of inmates, the home minister said the target of the administration is to ensure all inmates released from prisons can reintegrate into the society as reformed and beneficial individuals.