Quick Translation

HIGHEST PRIORITY NOW GIVEN TO CONSTRUCT SMALL CELLS IN PRISON DEVELOPMENT WORK: HOME MINISTER
12 December 2004

Ismail Rasheed

In the project to develop Maafushi Prison highest priority is now given to construct small cells the Home Minister has said.

In an interview given to Haveeru on Thursday Mr Umar Zahir said that a lot of problems arise due to so many people being detained at the same location and the solution to this was to construct cells where less people could be held.

“The construction of about twenty cells have now been planned. It would start not too late,” the Home Minister said.

The Home Minister said even though priority is now given to construct small cells in the plan to develop the prison the future development of the prison will go ahead with the consultation and advice given by the expert team presently visiting Maldives.

Mr Umar Zahir said even though damage had been caused to the prison and its property by convicts on different occasions, various efforts were being exerted presently to fix the problems.

Convicts in the prison had caused unrest and incurred damage to the prison and its property on two occasions this year alone.

END