Commissioner of Prisons Ahmed Mohamed Fulhu has stated the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) is working to move prisoners at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 to their homes, but prisoners convicted of violent crimes will not be transferred to house arrest.
Prisons Commissioner Ahmed said MCS is currently identifying high-risk prisoners to transfer them to house arrest. The commissioner said MCS will prioritise prisoners with severe illnesses and those who have to receive long term prescriptions, adding prison facilities have been established to care for high-risk prisoners serving prison terms for violent crimes. He also said the prisoners will be carefully monitored after their home transfer, and will be immediately returned to prison over any complaint.
MCS implemented new measures and restrictions after prisoners and prison officials began testing positive for COVID-19. Former President Abdulla Yameen, who is serving 5 years in prison, has been transferred to house arrest as a high-risk prisoner