BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Ministry of Homeland Security announced on January 1, 2026, that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has granted pardon to 222 prisoners as part of the 2025 Christmas and New Year festive season amnesty.

The release was authorized under Section 89(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which empowers the President to exercise clemency.

In the official statement issued from Capital Hill, Lilongwe, the Ministry said the amnesty targets qualified prisoners who have served half of their sentences.

The beneficiaries include convicted prisoners, the elderly, female inmates, and those who are chronically ill.

The move is intended to provide relief during the festive season and reflects the government’s humanitarian approach to justice.

President Mutharika’s decision aligns with traditional holiday practices in Malawi, where seasonal pardons are used to decongest prisons and offer second chances to eligible inmates.

The general amnesty is also seen as a gesture of compassion toward vulnerable groups within the correctional system, such as the elderly and sick, who may face heightened health risks in prison environments.

The Ministry emphasized that the presidential pardon is part of ongoing efforts to balance justice with mercy, encouraging rehabilitation and social reintegration of former offenders. While the release reduces prison populations temporarily, authorities have assured that public safety will be maintained by focusing on prisoners who have demonstrated good behavior and met legal criteria for early release.

This year’s amnesty follows similar festive pardons in previous years, which have been praised for promoting national unity and humanitarian values during holiday celebrations.

The government hopes the gesture will inspire community support for reintegrating released individuals into society, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation programs.

The announcement has been welcomed by human rights groups and civil society organizations in Malawi, who view the amnesty as a positive step toward prison reform and humane treatment of inmates.

However, some legal experts have called for broader systemic reforms to address overcrowding and conditions in Malawi’s correctional facilities beyond seasonal measures.

The presidential amnesty will be implemented immediately, with the Ministry of Homeland Security coordinating the release process to ensure smooth transitions for the affected prisoners.

The Maravi Post