Commission on Prison Audit has revealed it has received several complaints regarding the situation of the prisons and treatment of inmates.
Commission of Prison Audit is mandated with assessing the current conditions of prisons, identify areas which need reform, and compile a report. The commission is formed as part of the efforts of Ministry of Home Affairs to reform Maldivian prisons and ensure inmates their fundamental rights.
A statement released said the commission has begun the tasks mandated on December 18, revealing efforts are underway to collect information necessary. Under the efforts, the commission asked the public to come forward with information before January 10, adding information can be submitted via mail or telephone.
The seven-member commission is led by Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Kareem and includes well-known activist Shahindha Ismail, Dr. Abdulla Isneen Hilmy, Ahmed Mohamed, Zuleikha Dawood, Shadiya Adam and Aminath Naheen.
There are four prisons in the Greater Malé Area, one in capital city Malé, in Maafushi, in Himmafushi, and Hulhumalé. While there are remand facilities at these institutions as well, there is one facility used only for remand, in Dhoonidhoo Penitentiary. There is also one jail in Male' City, where police can keep an individual for a period of 24 hours without charging them.
An audit of Maldivian prisons and detention facilities is one of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's first 100-day goals.