The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Wednesday, released a statement announcing that the prison audit commission has formally commenced collecting information to carry out the audit.
According to the statement, any person wishing to submit information can come forward until January 10. Individuals with relevant information can either send an email to [email protected], call 3321752 during official working hours, or provide information in person at the prison audit commission.
The current prisons in Maldives include those in capital Male’, Maafushi and Himmafushi located in Kaafu Atoll. Maldives Police Service also supervises ‘Atholhu Vehi’ and Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre.
A detention centre specially designed to hold foreign detainees is located in the reclaimed suburb of Hulhumale’.
There was widespread public criticism over the deterioration of prison conditions during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. This included complaints of inmates not having access to adequate medical care resulting in fatalities.
Conducting an audit of all prisons in Maldives was an electoral pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The eight-member prison audit committee was formed on December 18, 2018.