Commission of Prison Audit has revealed prisons in Maldives exceed the accommodation limit.
On average four inmates are kept in prison cells that are designed to hold two inmates, while ten inmates are kept in cells designed to hold four inmates, according to a report issued by Commission of Prison Audit. Moreover, the report highlighted there are several inmates in prison with poor health conditions, adding adequate health facilities are not available to provide health services for the inmates. The report further noted it takes 30 minutes on average to reach health facilities in Male' City, if an inmate's health deteriorates.
Commission of Prison Audit is mandated with assessing the current conditions of prisons in Maldives, 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. The seven-member commission is led by Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Kareem and includes well-known human rights 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, one in Maafushi, one in Himmafushi, and one in Hulhumalé. Further there is one penitentiary used only for remand, in Dhoonidhoo. 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.