Kudoo seeks to question Corrections officials over prison conditions

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) has requested to summon senior officials from Maldives Correctional Service to be summoned before the relevant parliamentary committee to address growing public concerns over prison conditions, ongoing reform efforts within the prison system, and longstanding unresolved issues.

The request was formally submitted in a letter sent to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdull on Monday.

A key issue raised in the letter was prison overcrowding. Kudoo noted that housing inmates beyond designated capacity results in inadequate living conditions and creates significant security concerns, particularly when high-profile offenders are detained alongside individuals convicted of minor offences.

The letter also outlined concerns regarding insufficient medical care for inmates, the unsupervised administration of powerful psychiatric medications, and the absence of appropriate isolation facilities for prisoners suffering from contagious diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB).

Additionally, the Kudoo described the indefinite remand of individuals awaiting trial, or ‘Vaanuva," as a serious human rights concern. According to the lawmaker, indefinite detention without a scheduled trial date causes considerable psychological and social hardship for detainees and their families.

Addressing prison infrastructure, Kudoo highlighted that inadequate ventilation contributes to excessive heat within facilities, while poorly maintained sanitation systems heighten the risk of disease outbreaks. The letter further cited infestations of rats and mosquitoes and noted challenges faced by female inmates in accessing essential items, including sanitary products.

Concerns were also raised regarding the quality of prison meals and the lack of proper hygiene standards in food preparation and distribution.

In addition to requesting that the leadership of the Maldives Correctional Service appear before the committee, Kudoo urged committee members to conduct site visits to correctional facilities in order to assess conditions firsthand.

The proposal seeks to provide greater clarity on the progress of prison reform initiatives and to ensure that the fundamental rights of all detainees are adequately protected.

The issue has also attracted international attention. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention previously stated that conditions in Maldivian prisons fall short of acceptable international standards. Following a fact-finding mission to the Maldives, the group reported severe overcrowding and found that many inmates were being denied basic human rights, including access to adequate healthcare and opportunities for physical exercise.