‘You lose your liberty, not your dignity’: Mukhito unveils Mutharika’s bold vision to transform Malawi’s prisons

Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito has declared that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is spearheading a drive to transform Malawi’s prisons into a stronger, safer and more humane system — one that protects society while giving offenders a genuine shot at redemption.

Mukhito delivered the passionate address Friday at Sunbird Hotel in Lilongwe during the official launch of the 2026–2031 Malawi Prisons Service Strategic Plan, unveiling sweeping ambitions for the sector’s future.

He revealed that government’s vision centres on beefing up prison security, improving staff welfare, upgrading crumbling infrastructure and dramatically expanding rehabilitation, education and vocational training programmes for inmates.

In a striking declaration, Mukhito insisted that lawful imprisonment must never come at the cost of a person’s humanity.

“A person may lose their liberty through lawful imprisonment, but they do not lose their human dignity,” he told the gathering.

The minister said government plans to bolster reintegration programmes designed to help offenders rebuild their lives as responsible, productive and law-abiding citizens once released back into society.

“These are not abstract ambitions; they must translate into visible change,” Mukhito warned, signalling that the administration wants concrete results rather than empty promises.

He added that the Mutharika administration remains firmly committed to progressively improving the working and living conditions of both prison officers and inmates alike, while transforming the Malawi Prisons Service into a more productive, innovative and sustainable institution.

Under Mutharika’s vision, officials say, prisons must shed their image as mere places of custody and instead become powerful instruments of genuine change.