President pardons 22 Prisoners

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has pardoned 22 prisoners in the country.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary for the Ministry of Homeland Security, Steven Kayuni, the pardoned prisoners include those who have served half of their sentences, the chronically ill, the elderly and those who were accompanied by their children in prison.

Kayuni says those released met the required guidelines for the grant of pardon and have also demonstrated good behavioural reforms while serving their sentences in jail.

The statement says Chakwera has also granted a general amnesty to prisoners serving a determinate sentence, reducing their sentences by six months.

President Chakwera has pardoned the prisoners to exercise his powers accorded to him under section 89(2) of the constitution of the Republic of Malawi and also section 111 of the Prisons Act.

Meanwhile, Center for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance CHREA has applauded the president for the pardon.

CHREA Executive Director Victor Mughango in an interview said the figure might seem low but many prisoners will be released as well through the general amnesty.

He however reiterated the need for the enactment of prisons’ act which he says will help solve challenges facing prisons including congestion.