The Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, on Sunday led a high-level delegation to Kachere Prison in Lilongwe to assess the living conditions of female inmates.
She was accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Charles Mhango, the Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, Norman Paulosi Chisale, and the Attorney General, underscoring the seriousness with which government is treating issues affecting women in correctional facilities.
The visit focused on understanding the welfare, safety, and overall conditions of women incarcerated at the prison, particularly in relation to accommodation, health, and human dignity.
During the inspection, officials observed that Kachere Prison is currently housing 162 female inmates despite having an official capacity of only 80, revealing severe overcrowding.
The delegation noted that such overcrowding poses significant risks to inmate welfare, including compromised sanitation, heightened health concerns, and increased threats to safety and dignity.
Officials expressed concern that continued congestion undermines efforts to rehabilitate inmates and contravenes national laws and accepted human rights standards.
In response, the ministers engaged prison authorities and other relevant stakeholders to better understand the operational and systemic challenges contributing to the situation.
The government has emphasized the need for urgent, coordinated interventions aimed at decongesting the prison, improving living conditions, and ensuring that the rights and welfare of female inmates are adequately protected.
