Monkey Bay prison to ease congestion

Mangochi Prison officer-in-charge Denis Luka says plans to establish a prison at Monkey Bay are at an advanced stage.

He said in an interview on Wednesday that discussions and consultations with relevant stakeholders as well as feasibility study were concluded.

“We identified a council building in Monkey Bay which was used as a rest house to act as the new prison to decongest Mangochi Prison,” said Luka.

He disclosed that Mangochi Prison is accommodating 237 prisoners against a capacity of 105 inmates.

“Every year we receive about 200 inmates from Monkey Bay. Now with this facility, it means this number will be accommodated at the new facility,” said Luka.

Senior Chief Namkumba said it was important to have a prison in Monkey Bay because people were spending highly to go to Mangochi Prison to see their relatives.

“The facility is essential to everyone in Monkey Bay and the surrounding places because we have been spending a lot of money on transport to see inmates at Mangochi Prison. Now, the money we used on transport will be used for other purposes,” he said.

Mangochi District Council chairperson Abdullah Yusuf pledged commitment to support the prison authorities.

“We have already given the building to indicate our commitment, but we will also give the necessary support to ensure the facility operates efficiently,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Initiative for Civic Education Trust, one of the organisations facilitating the process, has expressed satisfaction with the progress.

“We are pleased and we will ensure that the facility is opened to reduce congestion at Mangochi Prison,” said Joseph Chamambala, Mangochi District Nice programmes officer.