By Debora Moyo
Blantyre, April 8, Mana: Malawi Prison Service (MPS) is set to establish the first-ever parole board to oversee inmate welfare and address congestion in prison facilities.
MPS Public Relations Officer, Steve Meke, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday that the board will be established in accordance with Section 124 of the Prisons Act of 2025.
“Parole is the conditional early release of a prisoner to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under the supervision of MPS. This board will play a central role in overseeing prisoners enrolled in the program,” Meke said.
He added that the board’s responsibilities will include setting eligibility criteria for prisoners and monitoring their conduct to ensure they complete serving their sentences accordingly.
Meke said the introduction of the parole system will be of significant importance to the prison service, particularly in reducing the high costs associated with inmate maintenance in the prisons.
“This program will help reduce the number of prisons and expenditure required to feed and provide necessities for inmates. These funds can then be reallocated to critical functions such as rehabilitation and reformation, where inmates are equipped with skills to aid their reintegration into society,” he said.
Meke appealed to the public to support the initiative once it rolls out emphasising that its success depends on collective efforts to ensure smooth reintegration of parolees into their communities.
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Executive Secretary, Habiba Osman, praised the development, describing it a necessary step towards improving the welfare of prisoners.
“The move to introduce a parole board will not only decongest prisons in Malawi but also give reformed prisoners a second chance at life,” Osman said.
She highlighted the positive social impact of the program, noting that it will allow inmates to serve part of their sentences within their communities, enabling them to reconnect with their families and loved ones.
