Prison Commissioner Zareer: 140 new places to be added to prisons within two months

Prisons Commissioner Hassan Zareer has announced that about 140 new places will be added to prisons run by the Maldives Correctional Service within the next two months.  

Speaking at a press conference held by the Homeland Security Ministry on Thursday, Zareer said 124 places have already been added since the current government came to power. He noted that the upcoming expansion will include 70 places at Hulhumale' Prison and 70 places at Asseyri Prison in K. Himmafushi.  

“In Hulhumale', we are increasing the space in the former COVID facility. As you know, our aim is to keep people in cells so that trials can be expedited,” Zareer said.  

He did not disclose the current total capacity of the three prisons operated by the corrections service, Hulhumale', Asseyri and Maafushi. However, he said the additional space would allow about 50 people a day to be brought in for trial proceedings, with between 50 and 70 trials already conducted online daily.  

Zareer highlighted the challenges faced by the corrections service, noting that the two main prisons are located in the atolls and that no government has structurally strengthened the service. “We are conducting this huge operation with only one 20‑year‑old boat, three very worn‑out speedboats, no ambulance, and about four of our own vehicles. We have to bring people to court every day and provide these services,” he said.  

He stressed that imprisonment is not a reason to deprive people of their rights, adding that the department is working continuously to improve prison conditions.  

Zareer also recalled that the Male' prison, located where Dharumavantha School now stands, was closed without a plan, and that the closure of the Dhoonidhoo remand prison has created space constraints.  

According to the Association for the Prevention of Torture, citing Home Ministry figures, the number of prisoners in Maldives stood at 1,347 as of June last year.