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Malawi
Maula Prison in Lilongwe has over 180 boys aged between 12 and 18. Others are serving prison sentences and have been imprisoned for minor offences like stealing food and fighting. Over-crowding, lack of water and hygienic facilities are putting the health of these children at risk. In many prisons there is evidence of increasing epidemic of scabies, lice and fleas. Many prisoners suffer from infected sores. It has been reported that some prisons have frequent suffocation of prisoners from overcrowding.
Children and adult prisoners are sometimes tortured and ill-treated in police custody. They are detained in inhuman and degrading conditions. They are mostly denied their right to fair trials and are sometimes unlawfully detained.
In respect of universal human rights, prisoners are human beings and have a right to life, protection, special care and assistance, regardless of race, colour, creed or ethnic origin. The best interest of children in prisons should be the primary consideration. However, for the vast majority of children the reality is not rehabilitation and special care but punishment and tremendous marginalisation. When adult prisoners are serving their term of imprisonment, their families suffer greatly. There is no education material and financial support for their families. Their wealth and assets are destroyed by relatives.
St Mary’s Anglican Church would like to establish a charitable institution for the welfare of prisoners. The main objective of the institution will be to provide personal and medical care, literacy, family management and leadership skills. We are soliciting funds for the commencement of the proposed project.
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