MCS denies reports of a confrontation between officers and convicts at Maafushi Prison

Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has denied there being a confrontation between corrections officers and convicts at the remand facility in Maafushi island of Kaafu atoll.

Releasing a statement regarding the recent scuffle at Maafushi Prison, reported on Friday morning, MCS revealed that convicts created unrest and rebellion as their medical demands were “not being met”. Further, they also expressed their dissatisfaction with their investigative remand periods being extended and inadequate medical treatments.

Stressing that MCS is also concerned with the issues noted by convicts, the department highlighted that the Inspector of Correctional Service, Commissioner of Prisons Abdulla Munaz and Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Asif had visited the remand facility in order to inspect the condition of convicts.

The statement further reveals that two officers from the Maldives Police Service (MPS) also arrived at Maafushi Prison, however, their visit was as part of an ongoing investigation involving a convict at the facility, who attacked others inside his cell.

While reports surfaced that officers used excessive force on detainees at unit four of Maafushi Prison where a scuffle is to have broken out on Friday, MCS denied this and revealed that although convicts “threw food items” at officers, they had handled the matter “calmly and patiently”.

This comes at a time reports have been churning on social media that MCS officers along with Special Operations officers used tear gas and uncalled-for power on convicts at the prison. However, Prisons Commissioner Munaz claimed that MCS aims to rehabilitate convicts who harass and assault corrections officers though counselling and guidance.

The issue of congested prison facilities recently made the spotlight, with authorities overfilling prison facilities more than they can accommodate, following which an audit report was publicized.

The report highlighted that prisons do not have adequate facilities that guarantee human rights and other rights of convicts, some of whom claim that MCS discriminates between convicts in terms of service such as parole and clemency.

With this being said, improving the condition of prison facilities and rehabilitating convicts into better and beneficial individuals for the society, are included in the incumbent President’s electoral pledges.