A backyard featuring elements of traditional lifestyles such as coir rope weaving and water wells has been established in Maafushi Prison. This is a translation of a report by Fathimath Ajufaan of Mihaaru.
Thirty minutes from capital Male', off the southern pier in the island of Kaafu atoll Maafushi lies the prison backyard. Maafushi Prison serves as a clear epitome of the nation's rooted criminal activity. However, stepping onto the coast few miles from the prison revealed a neighborhood that was pleasantly adapted to the nostalgic lifestyle of forefathers.
A notable attribute featured in the 'Traditional Dhivehi Land' established in the prison grounds last Thursday is the teaching house, traditionally named 'Edhuruge'. Children sat in the house learning letters marked on the 'Voshufilaa' - a wooden board traditionally used for education - beside the Edhuru Dhaitha (female educator). An Edhuruge that stood quite indistinguishable from the pillar that nurtured a functioning society back in the ages.
While one studied from the board, another child was seen tracing letters on a rice tray - demonstrating the beginning of education for countless locals, namely our Edhuru Dhaitha and Edhuru Be (male educator).
Outside, locals, clad in traditional attire are seen walking to and fro, each performing their individual tasks.
Simultaneously, a woman stood near a stone well left of the Edhuruge collecting water with a 'Dhaani' to bathe a a little boy.
This neighborhood embodies countless historical habits, from coir rope weaving and carpentry houses (Vadaange) to firewood stoves and several other remnants of past lifestyles. Some were seen engrossed in drying and cooking fish while another gaze revealed a 'Thileyruge' and craftshop stationed in the backyard.
Shortly after, a man came down a coconut palm with his Bandhi (traditional pot to collect toddy - locally known as Ruku Raa) in hand. Fishermen were on a bamboo bench nearby (Holhu Ashi) weaving a net to catch bait. In another house, women are engaged in the craft of thatching and making the traditional coconut ekel (iloshi) broom.
Another group were engrossed in a tradition art of preparing food - Bimbi Thelhun, alongside screwpine preparations, while others were engaged in ironing and embroidery works.
Directly ahead was an empty land reserved for child entertainment and gardening - a tranquil scenery that carried the nation to its present.
This backyard, built in seven months, is also an inclusive environment for educating prisoners, revealed Maldives Correctional Service Officer, Ahmed Naseem.
"This place was prepared after Correctional Service officers traveled to islands and reviewed how real life locations were built. Officers also learned these things from the islands," he elaborated.
Corrections have also reached the decision to open the area, currently dedicated to equipping prisoners with knowledge of the work to the public as well. Students and tourists will also be offered the chance to visit and experience the attractions, assured Naseem.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan also emphasized the importance of inmates participating in rehabilitation programs in prison and becoming productive members of society upon release. An announcement on deducting days from prison sentences for engaging in rehabilitation was also made to encourage adapting the premise into a space equipped for reformation as opposed to a punishment facility.
Instead of compelling prisoners to remain 'confined behind bars', the government is striving to reform convicts into hard working, innovative individuals by the time of their release, said Ihusaan.
"It is a new policy that the President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged on - [arranging for] each prisoner who engages in the rehabilitation procedure, each day spent engaged in learning [any field of work] to receive one day off from the prison sentence," the Minister revealed.
Prison Commissioner, Hassan Zareer said that prisoners spending long periods of time in detainment serves as a barrier to fostering a healthy community. Their rehabilitation and return to the community as productive members of society is of highest precedence, he ensured.
Prison caretakers remain taught of the ways to navigate traditional features in their backyard and the same knowledge will be passed on to the prisoners as well, stated the Commissioner.
Over 1,600 prisoners are currently housed in the Maafushi Prison. Noting that 65 percent of this number are repeated offenders, Commissioner Zareer emphasized that the nation's peace and stability is linked to ending criminal activity.
Prisons must be spaces that detaches convicts from a criminal background.
The 'Traditional Backyard' now featured in the prison is the realization of this very plea. Each person departing the shadows of prison yearns for the simple lifestyles of past traditions as demonstrated in these prison grounds.
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