Trapped Dreams: Inmates’ Bright Futures Left in Prison Cells as University Spots Slip Away
Imagine being handed a golden ticket—a chance to change your life, to break free from the confines of your past and enter a future filled with opportunity. Now, imagine having that ticket in your hand and being told, “Sorry, you can’t go. You’re stuck here.”
This is the harsh reality for five incredible inmates who passed their 2023 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) exams and were selected to attend prestigious public universities, yet remain locked up in their prison cells, unable to pursue the futures they earned.
These are not just numbers or faceless prisoners. These are individuals who defied the odds and showed that despite their circumstances, education can be a powerful tool for transformation. Godrick Nkhoma from Mzimba Prison, who earned a place at Mzuzu University to study theology; Paul Tembo from Lilongwe Prison, chosen for University of Malawi’s humanities program; Austin Chisuse from Blantyre Prison, admitted to Domasi College of Education for English Linguistics—these are the stories of perseverance. And then there’s Yvonne Kalimona, the first female inmate to be selected for university, chosen to study water resources engineering at Mzuzu University. She, too, remains locked away, her dreams slowly slipping further out of reach.
Despite their accomplishments, these five individuals remain trapped, unable to take the next step in their academic journeys. And time is not on their side. University policies only allow students to defer for two years, and with one year already gone by, the fear is real: they could lose their spots entirely. What was once a moment of triumph is now teetering on the brink of despair.
In a desperate plea, the Centre for Human Rights, Education Advice, and Assistance (Chreaa) has written to President Lazarus Chakwera, urging him to intervene before these dreams fade away. In their letter, Chreaa highlights that the clock is ticking, and if these inmates are not released soon, their futures may be lost. The request extends to three more inmates who passed the 2024 MSCE exams and were selected to study at various institutions.
It’s a cruel irony: these individuals have proven they can excel. They’ve passed the exams, earned their places, but their fate now lies in the hands of a bureaucracy that seems slow to act. Their success is not enough to free them.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has yet to act on the President’s directive to address this situation, with officials citing that the advisory committee only meets on specific occasions. Meanwhile, these prisoners are left in limbo, their futures hanging in the balance.
How long can we ignore the plight of these individuals who have already taken the first step toward redemption? How many more opportunities will slip away before we finally take action? These are questions we must ask ourselves as we watch the dreams of the few who dare to hope dissolve into the unforgiving walls of a prison system that offers no way out.
