Male' prison to be relocated

Managing Director of Greater Male' Industrial Zone Limited (GMIZL), Ibrahim Rasheed (Ibu) has stated that the Male' prison will be moved to a different location.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, Ibu stated that the construction of a temporary juvenile detention centre in Gulhifalhu is currently underway at a high speed.

He further revealed that discussions regarding designs for a jail, in either Thilafushi or Gulhifalhu island, are ongoing and that Male' city prison will be transferred to the new location sometime this year.

Ibu also stated that a jail or a "drunk tank" to temporarily detain individuals who are intoxicated or suspected of intoxication will be established at Gulhifalhu as well.

Ibu went onto claim that Gulhifalhu island will be the solution for many of Male' City's problems in 2020.

The issue of congested prison facilities surfaced with authorities overfilling prison facilities more than they can accommodate, following which an audit report was publicized on May 28th last year.

The report also detailed problems in the prison system such as overcrowding, neglecting the rights of prisoners, and sub-par facilities in addition to keeping citizens and expatriates in indefinite remand.

While allegations of discrimination in granting clemency and parole have surfaced, 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.