Concerns over inmates’ access to medical consultations and mental health monitoring
13 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 09:03The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has directed the Maldives Correctional Service to rectify negligence in providing medical care to inmates and monitoring those seeking treatment for mental health issues. Additionally, the Commission instructed the authorities to address poor hygiene and ventilation standards within prisons, while ensuring a fair and equitable policy for granting private family visits to detainees.
Maafushi Prison. | Alamy
In its annual report for 2025, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) highlighted significant concerns regarding the conditions of Maldivian prisons and issued key recommendations to the Maldives Correctional Service.
The Commission has called for improvements in the provision of medical care for inmates, as well as enhancements to the hygiene standards and general administrative arrangements within prisons.
One of the most significant concerns highlighted by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) is the failure to follow protocols requiring medical reviews for inmates on long-term medication before their prescriptions run out. Having identified this issue, the Commission warned that such lapses could adversely affect the health of detainees and advised the implementation of a robust mechanism to ensure medical consultations are conducted before medication supplies are exhausted.
Furthermore, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has been alerted to a case involving negligence in the monitoring of inmates receiving treatment for mental health conditions.
Specifically, the Commission noted that despite medical instructions to monitor an individual with mental health issues, this was not carried out effectively. Consequently, the Maldives Correctional Service has been ordered to immediately establish mechanisms to closely observe and monitor the condition of such individuals.
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has reported receiving complaints regarding poor hygiene standards in several units of Maafushi Prison. The Commission also highlighted concerns over inadequate ventilation systems in certain cells. Emphasizing that these issues directly impact the health and human dignity of inmates, the HRCM has issued directives to the relevant authorities to rectify these conditions.
Regarding the administrative arrangements of prisons, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) stated that procedures for granting private visits to inmates vary across different correctional facilities. Expressing concern over the lack of a uniform policy, the HRCM has urged the Maldives Correctional Service to establish consistent and adequate arrangements to ensure this service is provided equitably across all prisons.
