MALAWI PRISONS PHOTO EXHIBITION
The Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Southern Africa Litigations Centre (SALC) held a photo exhibition at their offices in Blantyre on 23rd January 2023. The event aimed to showcase the living conditions in Malawi prisons, which are in a poor state due to outdated laws at the centre of prison governance among others.
The event also aimed to advocate for expeditious progress in tabling the Prison bill, which has taken more than a decade without being taken to parliament and results in congested prisons, poor health service delivery for inmates and poor living environments.
Speaking during the event, CHREAA Executive Director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango said that the 1956 prison act that Malawi is using now is punitive and does not align with human rights. He expressed worry over delayed progress in tabling the bill.
Chief Legal Aid Advocate Sigele Chirwa said under current circumstances representation for offenders is proving difficult as inmates often fall sick.
Malawi Human Rights Commissioner regional coordinator Victor Khwima said current prison conditions are deplorable and demeaning of human dignity.
You can watch a recap of the event on this link https://youtu.be/royZhv-_WXE