Inmates May Receive Sentence Reductions Under New Rehabilitation Programme – Interior Minister
Caucus questions oversight and external influence after withdrawal of LGBTQ-related curriculum content
- Inmates who demonstrate good behaviour may qualify for reduced sentences under a new rehabilitation initiative.
- The programme involves inmates producing school furniture, uniforms, and sanitary pads for public schools.
- Sentence reductions will be enabled through the proposed Community Service Bill currently before Parliament.
The Ministry of the Interior has announced plans to grant sentence reductions to inmates who exhibit good behaviour under a new prison-based education and production initiative.
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak said the programme forms part of government efforts to strengthen rehabilitation, promote skills development, and engage inmates in productive activities, while also supporting local manufacturing and education.
The initiative, which is being implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education, will see inmates produce items such as school furniture, uniforms, and sanitary pads for public schools across the country.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Mr Muntaka Mubarak explained that sentence reductions will be made possible through provisions in the proposed Community Service Bill currently before Parliament.
He noted that inmates who conduct themselves well and actively work in prison industries for a year could have their sentences reduced by three months.
“Through the Community Service Bill we have laid before Parliament, we want to ensure that if you comport yourself and work within prison industries for one year, your sentence will be reduced by three months. Instead of serving one year, you will serve nine months,” the minister stated.
