Malawi President pardons 197 prisoners

Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 197 prisoners as part this year’s Christmas and New Year Celebrations.

In a statement released by Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security on Wednesday it said the 197 prisoners who have been pardoned are those who have served at least half of their prison sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences

“ Pardon of the 197 prisoners is a symbol of forgiveness as the country commemorates its Christmas and New Year Celebrations,” said Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security in a statement.

The pardoning of prisoners is common in Malawi during independence celebrations, as well as at Easter and at Christmas

The country’s 23 prisons are notorious for the poor conditions in which inmates are kept.