By Deogratius Mwalamoyo

Almost every year during Christmas, New Year, Easter celebrations, Ramadan and other festivals, the country’s president with powers conferred upon his office pardons some prisoners.

According to the letter dated April 26, 2019 signed by Secretary in the ministry of Homeland Security, Samuel Madula the pardon of 197 prisoners by President Peter Mutharika comes as a symbol of forgiveness during this year’s Easter Celebrations.

The prisoners who have been pardoned are those who are with minor offences and have demonstrated good behaviour reform.

This has come at a time when the country’s prisons are reported to have too many inmates a development which undermines the rights of inmates.

Currently, a prison room which is supposed to accommodate 1,000 people is accommodating over 5000 people, this is according to an earlier interview with Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) executive director Victor Mhango.