Traditional Dances in Prison

Prison Department is to provide Correctional Services to persons who have been convicted and sentenced by Court of Law and those awaiting trial.

This is achieved by providing safe custody to prisoners and train them different skills to enable them obtain work, or self dependence on their release and they will no longer have the desire or tendency to commit crime.

The objective of the programme is to reform the Prison system through improvements in policy and procedures, the quality of staff, enhanced self sufficiency and improved welfare services.

The programme includes maintenance of structures and upgrading of medical treatment facilities of prisons and also to enhance human rights in prisons. It also aims at training of inmates in various technical skills to enable them carry out simple maintenance of prison buildings and prepare them for reintegration into Society upon release. The programme will also improve health conditions in prisons by establishing dispensaries and provision of drugs.

The programme started as a pilot project in May 1999 with maintenance of buildings at Zomba Central Prison and improvement of health by provision of essential drugs to Zomba Central Prison and 6 other health facilities. Other activities includes training of prisoner in skills such as tailoring, tinsmith, carpentry and bricklaying.

2.1.1 Maintenance.

The project is currently involved in repairing of drainage, plastering, whitewashing and replacement of faulty rim-iocks and broken window panes in Junior Staff Houses. The workforce comprises of three members of staff and apprentices. A total number of 11 inmates including 3 women prisoners are undergoing training in bricklaying and painting.

Maintenance of prisons buildings started in September 1 999. This was due to delays in delivering of maintenance materials. So far, 13 staff houses have been maintained and painted.

2.1.2 Tailoring.

During the period in question, 17 Sewing Machines were rehabilitated by Singer. A total number of 25 sewing machines are now functional. 32 inmates are being trained. So far 5000 pairs of prisoners uniform and some overalls have been manufactured. Most of the finished products have already been distributed to all the 23 stations throughout the country.

2.1.3 Tinsmith

Work is progressing on well. 14 Prisoners including 4 juveniles are undergoing training. 180 Pails, 120 latrine buckets and 6 dust bins have been manufactured and distributed to needy stations.

2.1.4 Health

All the drugs which were ordered except a few, were delivered to all the 7 Prison Health facilities. During the period a consultant in the name of Dr. Pandya was engaged to assess Prisons Department's health needs. A report has already been submitted and endorsed by the Department.