President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 243 prisoners, a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has announced.
According to the statement, Mutharika has pardoned the prisoners as part of the Republic celebrations.
“It has pleased his Excellency the President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to Pardon 243 prisoners as part of Republic Celebrations, the prisoners who have been pardoned are those who have served at least half of their prison sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences,” reads part of the statement.
It also says some prisoners have been considered for pardon because of their medical conditions.
Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (Chreaa) Executive Director, Victor Mhango, said Mutharika needs to consider pardoning more prisoners in order to decongest prisons.
“Much as we would like to congratulate the president for the gesture, the number of the pardoned prisoners is just too small considering how congested the country’s prisons are. For example, our prisons were designed to accommodate about 5,000 inmates but at present they are accommodating over 14, 000.
“We suggest that the president should consider pardoning 2000 to 3000 prisoners if current challenges in prisons, including shortage of food, are to reduce,” Mhango said.
Recently, some civil society organisations petitioned government asking it to look into issues affecting the country’s prisons.
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