Prison Service pushes community sentences to ease congestion
Malawi’s overcrowded prisons could soon see some relief as authorities explore a different way of dealing with certain offenders.
he Malawi Prison Service says allowing some offenders to serve their sentences in their communities could help reduce overcrowding in the country’s prisons.
Commissioner for Correctional Services Milda Sililika said offenders who qualify for non-custodial sentences would be allowed to do community work instead of staying in prison.
She said this in Salima on Wednesday during a meeting with Salima District Council and other stakeholders on the introduction of the new system.
Under the system, offenders will remain in their communities while serving their sentences and will be required to follow rules set by the authorities.
Probation and parole officers, together with public works officials, will monitor the offenders to make sure they complete their sentences as required.
Salima District Council Chairperson Adam Fazili welcomed the move and praised the Malawi Prison Service for introducing the system.
Senior Chief Maganga also said she would help explain the new system to people in her area.
Salima is one of the districts where the system will be introduced. Mchinji, Phalombe, and Machinga are also included.
The move will give courts another option besides sending offenders to prison while allowing authorities to continue monitoring them as they serve their sentences in their communities.
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