Malawi: Malawi Urged to Boost Prisoner Rehabilitation As Presidential Pardon Recipients Linked to Fresh Crimes

What the report says

Nyasa Times, republished by AllAfrica, reports that Malawi is facing renewed calls to improve prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration after concerns that some people freed through presidential pardons have been linked to new criminal activity. Governance expert Dr George Chaima told the outlet that pardons should be paired with practical preparation for release, saying correctional institutions should emphasize reform and behaviour change rather than punishment alone.

According to the report, Chaima urged authorities to expand skills training in prisons so inmates can earn a living after release. He also suggested support such as funding or credit facilities for former prisoners, arguing that reintegration assistance could reduce the risk of reoffending and help released inmates rebuild stable lives.

The issue was raised in Parliament on Monday by Kondwani Nankhumwa, the MP for Mulanje Central, who said 10 boreholes in his constituency had been vandalised. Police inquiries led to the arrest of three suspects who were reportedly among people recently released under a presidential pardon. Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito told Parliament that police were encountering an increasing number of cases involving recent pardon recipients.

Mukhito said the Malawi Prison Service is trying to strengthen rehabilitation programmes but is constrained by limited resources, including insufficient government funding and reduced support from development partners. The report also links the debate to wider Southern African Development Community discussions, noting that a recent corrections conference in Salima called for more investment in rehabilitation and community reintegration systems.