Magistrate appeals for technical education in prisons

 Lilongwe chief resident magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza has called for more support in technical education among female inmates so that they can lead independent lives after serving their prison terms.

She made the call on Tuesday at Kachere Female Prison in Lilongwe on the sidelines of International Human Rights day commemoration.

“Let me appeal to other stakeholders in the technical education sector like Teveta [Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority] to support training in trades such as carpentry, tailoring and baking, among others so that once they are out of prison, they can become independent,” said Chimwaza.

The magistrate commended the Paralegal Advisory Service Institution (Pasi) and Irish Rule of Law for complementing government’s efforts in ensuring that the rights of the prisoners are observed and respected.

Pasi team leader Alfred Munika committed to involve different stakeholders to minimise the challenges prisoners across the country are facing.

“We will work hand in hand with Malawi Prisons Service so that we can find relevant stakeholders who can come in with technical education, food and ways of decongesting our prisons,” he said.

Kachere Female Prison officer-in-charge Patuma Chalimba commended Pasi and Irish Rule of Law for the visit which she said has helped to address some of the concerns the inmates had.

Pasi and Irish Rule of Law donated various items to the prisoner