Inmates torch Maafushi jail

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Tensions at Maafushi Jail erupted last night when inmates from two units smashed up several wings before setting them on fire.
A source within the jail has said the health centre and the industrial workshop have been completely destroyed by the fire while a new checkpoint, classrooms and a desalination plant have been extensively damaged.
He said the riot started after an inmate threw a rock at an islander from the prison roof following a verbal argument.
The Emergency Security Group (ESG) allegedly threw rocks and used high-pressure water hoses on inmates in units nine and twelve, who responded by setting their mattresses alight.
He added there was not a confrontation when police arrived but said there were rumours that a prisoner from unit two had been badly injured by the ESG.
Police sergeant Ali Shiyam said the incident occurred around 12am while police arrived at the jail at around 2.45am.
He described the situation as “really really bad” with parts of the jail “completely destroyed” and one prisoner injured.
Contrary to media reports, he added, no prisoners had escaped.
Shiyam said the situation was now under control and prisoners were being held outside of their cells with help by the Maldives National Defence Force.
Mohamed Zuhair, the press secretary at the president’s office, has said one reason for the riots was overcrowding.
On whether the riots would result in a loss of votes for the Maldivian Democratic Party in the upcoming parliamentary elections, he replied inmates were not well-informed of the political situation.
He added many of the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission Maldives (HRCM) had been followed.
HRCM president Ahmed Saleem announced yesterday that the government had failed to implement many of the recommendations made by the commission.
In February, the HRCM made a number of recommendations to the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services as well as the home ministry including immediate action to stop drug use and abuse; the removal of all communication devices and weapons; an overhaul of prison regulations; and categorisation of prisoners.
Following the release of the report, Jeehan Mahmoud, media officer at HRCM, described the situation as “out of control” with widespread drug availability and prisoners ruling unit two with home-made weapons.
Speaking to Minivan News today, Jeehan said, “We have been saying this over and over again.”
She said the riots could have been avoided if the government had responded to the problems in the jail sooner.
HRCM officials went to Maafushi Jail at 3am to monitor the management of the situation to ensure there were no human rights violations.
Deputy home minister Dr Abdulla Waheed said the government would now focus on repairing the damage to the prison so that services could resume as quickly as possible. “After that the management might be re-structured,” he said.
A presidential committee met with prisoners and promised amnesty and reduced sentences a day after President Mohamed Nasheed was sworn in.
A majority of inmates voted for the Maldivian Democratic Party-led coalition in the October elections.
But, several inmates told Minivan News last week, the new government failed to deliver on pledges to provide rehabilitation and parole programmes.
Prisoners have staged two hunger strikes since the new government came to power to protest the lack of concrete measures. Inmates agreed to call off the first hunger strike on 3 December after Ahmed Shafeeq, state minister of the home ministry, said the prison population would be reduced from over 600 to just 39.
Although the government did not respond officially to the second hunger strike on the following month, acting home minister Ameen Faisal and health minister Aminath Jameel announced plans to transfer 300 inmates for rehabilitation abroad or new minimum-security jails.
Some inmates warned of a violent confrontation if the government fails to take action. Further, they allege the Emergency Security Guard had routinely beaten and abused prisoners before the new president took office, but were no longer allowed inside the jail.