By Jones Gadama
A concerning situation has come to light in Malawi’s prison system, where eight prisoners who were accepted into public universities two years ago remain behind bars.
Human rights activists argue that this delay undermines the purpose of rehabilitation, which aims to equip inmates with skills and knowledge to reintegrate into society upon release.
Among the affected inmates are five who excelled in the 2023 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations. They include:
- Godrick Nkhoma from Mzimba Prison, selected to study Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies at Mzuzu University (Mzuni)
- Paul Tembo from Maula Prison, selected to pursue Bachelor of Arts in Humanities at the University of Malawi (Unima)
- Austin Chisuse from Blantyre (Chichiri) Prison, selected to study Bachelor of Education at Domasi College of Education
Similar cases have been reported in the past, where prisoners were selected for university programs but faced challenges accessing education due to their incarceration.
In 2013, the Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) appealed to the President to pardon two prisoners who had been selected to study at the University of Malawi, citing their exemplary behavior and academic achievement as signs of reform.
The Malawi Prison Service has previously stated that it has an agreement with public universities to reserve places for prisoners who excel in university entrance exams until they are released.
However, this arrangement seems to be causing more harm than good, with human rights activists arguing that it defeats the purpose of rehabilitation.
As one expert notes, “Prisons are places of reform and not punishment. What better form of reform can one show beyond putting such emphasis on education?”
By denying prisoners the opportunity to pursue higher education, the prison system may be missing a crucial chance to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society.
The delay in allowing these prisoners to access university education raises questions about the effectiveness of Malawi’s rehabilitation programs and the prioritization of education in prisons.
