The Centre for Human Rights Advice and Assistance (Chreaa) has asked President Lazarus Chakwera to pardon female inmates that have children in Malawi’s prisons as part of this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations.
In a letter signed by Chreaa executive director Victor Mhango it says the special pardon for incarcerated mothers will signify the importance of the national holiday in honoring mothers.
“Due to the living conditions in prison, some children are suffering from recurring malnutrition and other illnesses that have continuously been transmitted to them within the prison. In addition to this, there are female prisoners who have expressed the need to be with their children whom they left behind.”Reads the letter.
The Malawi Prisons Service estimates that there are between 15 000 and 16 000 inmates in the country’s prisons against a holding capacity of 5 000 prisoners. Of this figure, female inmates constitute 1.1 percent.
Source:NPL
