Prison Audit Commission (PAC) has presented Minister of Home Affairs, Sheikh Imran Abdulla with 182 recommendations to reform Maldivian prisons.
The report was formulated by the commission to assess the situation of Maldivian prisons. The PAC report is based on information obtained from Maldives Correctional Service and other stakeholders. The 390-page report, formulated in 70 days, detailed several issues in Maldivian prisons. The majority of the issues focused on congestion of prison cells, health scares caused due to the congestion of prison cells and necessary efforts to solve this issue.
Addressing the function held to handover the report, Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla said complaints regarding the situation of the prisons in Maldives is not new. However, he assured the government would address the concerns raised in the PAC report and launch important initiatives towards prison reform.
Speaking about its findings, member of PAC Ahmed Mohamed Fulhu noted the use of corrupt means in freeing detainees and with regard to the provision of some services that follow an inmate's release.
The PAC audit also notes the discrimination between foreign and Maldivian detainees, and the unjust dole out of clemency and parole.