By Patience Longwe:
President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 222 prisoners as part of the 2025 Christmas and New Year festive season.
A press statement signed by Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Homeland Security, Linda Moyo, the pardoned prisoners include those who have served half of their sentences, the elderly, females, and the chronically ill.
“Additionally, the President has granted a general amnesty to convicted prisoners serving determinate sentences, reducing their sentences by nine months. This move is expected to reduce the prison population by 15 %, benefiting 2,640 prisoners,” reads the Statement.
However, the general amnesty excludes prisoners with a history of recidivism and those convicted of serious offences such as murder, trafficking in persons and rape.
The Ministry of Homeland Security stated that the pardoned prisoners have demonstrated good behaviour and positive reform while serving their sentences.
