Prisons food crisis to worsen

 Food crisis within Malawi’s prisons is expected to deteriorate further, with prison mega farms failing to effectively address the situation.

Irish Rule of Law International and the Malawi Prison Inspectorate made the prediction in a joint study, which found that the situation is compounded by underfunding, inflation, skyrocketing prices and overcrowding.

Government has since acknowledged the situation, but says reforms are being implemented to safeguard the welfare, dignity and rehabilitation of prisoners as its constitutional and legal obligation.

Findings of the study, conducted between December 2024 and May 2025 in 27 of the country’s 28 prisons, found that despite 13 prisons engaging in farming, productivity remains low.

“As a consequence, prisons are hardest hit by hunger almost every year, especially during the lean period from November to March. In addition to low productivity, 80 percent of their produce is delivered to government for sharing with other prisons,” reads part of the study findings.

The study says challenges leading to low productivity include government funding constraints, climate change, lack of farm mechanisation, insufficient farm inputs and tools, lack training for prison warders and inmates in modern agriculture and low involvement in irrigation.

The situation has led to no facility recording tangible

 revenues and banked income for further investment in agriculture in the preceding five years, except for Ntchisi and Bzyanzi prisons.

Amidst the food crisis, the study found that only five prisons— Dedza, Kachere, Bzyanzi, Ntchisi and Nkhotakota; provide three meals a day.

Chitipa, Nkhata Bay, Mzuzu, Bvumbwe, Chiri, Makande, Mangochi, Nsanje and Thyolo prisons were found to be providing two meals a day.

Mpyupyu, Domasi, Rumphi, Mikuyu 2, Ntcheu, Mulanje, Kasungu and Maula prisons were found to be hunger-stricken.

In an interview on Wednesday, Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance executive director Victor Mhango said the situation highlights the severity of food insecurity within Malawi’s prison system.

He said poor nutrition not only affects prisoners’ health, but increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

“What is particularly worrying is the report’s projection that the situation may deteriorate. This suggests that the current interventions are insufficient to address the underlying structural challenges,” Mhango said.

To comprehensively address the situation, Mhango suggested government should consider a multi-sectoral approach.

He said firstly, government needs to increase budgetary allocation for prison feeding and agricultural production.

Mhango said this should be complemented by modernisation of prison farms through investment in irrigation systems, mechanisation, improved seed varieties and climate-smart agricultural practices.

He said: “In addition, government should explore sustainable food production models that allow prisons to become more self-sufficient while providing inmates with valuable agricultural and vocational skills.”

Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito said in a separate interview on Wednesday that government has embarked on numerous reforms, including reviewing prisons funding mechanisms.

“We are also strengthening prison farming initiatives across the country through

 expansion of mega farms, mechanisation programmes, irrigation development and strategic partnerships with the private sector and development partners,” he said.

“The objective is to increase food production, reduce dependency on Treasury funding and improve dietary diversity within prisons.”

Mukhito said government is also addressing prison congestion through enhanced collaboration with the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice and other criminal justice stakeholders.

He said efforts are underway to expedite the handling of remand cases, promote non-custodial sentencing for minor offences and strengthen rehabilitation programmes that reduce recidivism.

According to Mukhito, his ministry is also implementing a comprehensive infrastructure improvement programme targeting prison accommodation, kitchens, storage facilities, water systems and energy infrastructure.

He added that particular attention is being paid to facilities that are in a state of disrepair and those affected by natural disasters.

“Most importantly, the Ministry of Homeland Security has developed a long-term strategy aimed at transforming prisons from largely consumption-based institutions into productive and self-sustaining correctional centres,” said Mukhito

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