By Phillimon Backson:
Child rights activist, Memory Chisenga, has called for a review of the Malawi Prison Act, particularly provisions that allow young children to remain in prison due to the incarceration of their mothers.
Chisenga has urged relevant legal authorities and child rights organizations to carefully reassess the law, emphasizing that keeping children in prison exposes them to significant risks, including inadequate care and support.
She further noted that the prison environment is not conducive to healthy child development, warning that such conditions may negatively affect children’s behavior and overall growth.
Chisenga has since appealed to all stakeholders to give the matter serious consideration.
Her remarks follow comes after the Malawi Prison Service disclosed that the country’s correctional facilities are currently housing 20 children, aged between one month and three years, who are living with their incarcerated mothers
