Prison and Parole Bill returned to parliament

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has once again returned the Prison and Parole Bill to the parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office said that the president detailed in a letter sent to the speaker of parliament, the main issues noted by the attorney general regarding the bill.

The president also requested the speaker of the parliament for further review and modification of the bill, with consideration of the points noted by the attorney general.

The bill was previously returned to the parliament for reconsideration on 15 May 2013, and it was passed by the parliament on 29 August 2013.

Presenting the bill to the parliament, Chairman of the National Security Committee Reeko Moosa Manik said that President Waheed had highlighted 28 issues when returning the bill to the parliament, and that amendments have been made to address most of those issues.

This bill requires the establishment of an institution, Maldives Correctional Service, which would be responsible for conducting training programs for prisoners, and ensuring safety and protection to prisoners.

Moosa Manik said that the Prison and Parole Bill provides full protection to prisoners, and ensures the establishment of facilities required by prisoners.