Maldives Has High Rate Of Repeat Offences In Region: State Minister Nizar

The Home Ministry's State Minister, Ali Nizar, has stated that the Maldives has a high rate of incarcerating repeat offenders.

Speaking during the awards ceremony granted to prisoners who had completed the rehabilitation framework programmes organised by the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS), Ali Nizar had congratulated the graduates and had noted that learning new knowledge and skills in prison, away from the love and help of family, was no easy task.

He also noted the courage of the graduates in completing the courses. He also mentioned that people are sent to prison because of social problems, and he said that he wanted to believe that the graduates would, once they rejoin society with their new skills, would work to not return back to prison.

Pointing out that the Maldives has a high rate of re-offenders in the South Asian region, he urged the graduates to spend the time of their prison terms in a positive way, and he said that he hoped that they would change their thinking and actions as a productive member of their family and of society. He also pointed out that the government's related agencies should co-operate to rehabilitate prisoners and to reduce the rate of repeat offences.

The Commissioner of Prisons, Ahmed Mohamed-Fulhu had congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the programme. He said that the primary focus of such programmes was to return prisoners back to society in "a good way".