By Chisomo Phiri
The Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) have called on President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to ensure the Prison Services Bill is tabled and passed into law.
In a joint statement that 247 Malawi News has in possession, the two organisations say the Prison Services Bill has a huge potential to reduce overcrowding in prisons and promote realisation of the right to education in a very systematic manner through the parole system.
The statement comes against the background of Chakwera’s decision to pardon two inmates who have been selected to public universities.
“Whilst the right to education is being respected and realised in prison, Chreaa and Salc urge government to finalise on the Prison Services Bill which has been pending for years to enhance protection of the rights of prisoners,” reads part of the statement.
In his State of the Nation Address in February, Chakwera said he would ensure the Bill is taken to Parliament to reform the country’s prisons.
The Prison Services Bill, if debated by legislators and passed into law by the President, will also introduce community service.
This is basically a reform area aimed at decongesting the country’s prisons which has always been a challenge.
