THE MALAWI PRISONS ACTS

The Malawi Prison Service is governed by three acts: The Prison Act, The  Prison Regulations [Cap 9.02 of the Laws of Malawi] and Prison Standing Orders . The Prison Act is the law that form the backbone of all the operations of the Malawi Prison Service. It provides for the establishment of a Prison Service and prisons in Malawi, management and control of prisons and prisoners logged therein and it provides for powers and discipline of Prison Officers.

The Prison Act, enacted in 1956 also amended in 1962 under the Prisons Amendments Acts, has been redrafted in line with democratization in Malawi and in consideration of human rights issues. The New Act is still in Bill form, however, members of staff have been acquainted to it. Thus, we present here all the two versions of the Acts:

• THE NEW PRISON BILL - 2003 [PDF]
• THE OLD PRISON ACT - ENACTED IN 1956