Friends of Inmates Zambia-FIZ

25/05/2025

Friends of Inmates Zambia Commends President Hichilema’s Clemency Towards Inmates as we celebrate Africa Freedom Day

Friends of Inmates Zambia expresses heartfelt appreciation and pride in President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to pardon 943 inmates across the country, a compassionate gesture.

The organization is particularly moved by the inclusion of 10 women incarcerated with circumstantial children—one of the most vulnerable groups in the correctional system. Their release not only restores hope to the affected families but also reinforces Zambia’s dedication to upholding human dignity and child welfare within the justice system.

According to the announcement made by Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Jack Mwiimbu in Monze, the clemency—granted under Article 97 of the Constitution—includes 922 ordinary inmates, 10 elderly individuals, the 10 mothers with circumstantial children, and one long-term prisoner whose sentence was reduced. The total number of pardoned inmates includes 882 men and 61 women.

Friends of Inmates Zambia recognizes this act of mercy as a reflection of the values that Africa Freedom Day seeks to uphold: freedom, reconciliation, and justice. The gesture also aligns with the country’s broader commitment to restorative justice and the humane treatment of inmates.

The recent initiative by the Zambia Correctional Service to medically discharge inmates, and the government's rollout of mobile courts in correctional facilities, further illustrates the progressive reforms underway. These efforts, supported by the Judiciary of Zambia, Legal Aid Board, Irish Rule of Law International, and the National Prosecution Authority, aim to decongest prisons and improve legal access for all.

We stand with the government in calling on communities to support these returning citizens through employment opportunities, shelter, and reintegration programs. This pardon is more than a legal act—it is a profound message of second chances and social healing.

Friends of Inmates Zambia remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals and will continue working with stakeholders to ensure that justice reforms remain inclusive, humane, and focused on rehabilitation.

01/03/2025

Mobile Courts Pilot Project in Zambia - Welcome move. It will help decongest Prisons.

As Friends of Inmates Zambia, we strongly endorse the Mobile Courts Pilot Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bringing justice closer to inmates within correctional facilities. This innovative project aligns with our organization's mission to promote humane prison conditions and support the rehabilitation of inmates.

The Mobile Courts Pilot Project is a crucial step towards addressing the long-standing issue of prison overcrowding in Zambia. By facilitating bail applications, variation of bail conditions, and setting of trial and judgment dates within prison premises, this project will significantly reduce delays in the justice system and alleviate prison congestion.

We commend the Zambian Government, the Judiciary, the Zambia Correctional Service, CSO's and International partners for their collaborative efforts in launching this project. We are confident that it will enhance access to justice for inmates, particularly those without legal representation, and ultimately contribute to the decongestion of prisons in Zambia.

As Friends of Inmates Zambia, we will continue to advocate for prison reform and support initiatives that promote the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates. We look forward to the successful implementation of the Mobile Courts Pilot Project and its expansion to benefit more inmates across the country.

MOBILE COURT PILOT PROJECTS LAUNCHED IN ZAMBIA

By Best Jere

The Judiciary of Zambia has launched a pilot project for Mobile Courts aimed at addressing the urgent need to decongest correctional facilities, which have significantly exceeded their carrying capacities.

Speaking at the launch, High Court Judge Justice Charles Zulu, delivering a speech on behalf of Chief Justice Mumba Malila, said the project presents an opportunity to ensure that inmates are neither condemned nor forgotten. He emphasized that all accused persons, including those in custody, are entitled to due process, just like those on bond or bail.

Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri revealed that correctional facilities are operating at over 300% capacity, currently holding more than 28,000 inmates in facilities designed for only 9,150.

He stressed that such overcrowding leads to human rights violations.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Imelda Muswela Kwenda urged the government to consider granting bail for minor offenses as a means of decongesting prisons.

21/02/2025

State of Zambian Prisons and Correctional Centers: Audit Report 2023

A coalition of 15 civil society organizations is sounding the alarm over the deplorable conditions in Zambia's Prisons, highlighting severe overcrowding and human rights violations. The coalition, comprising organizations such as the Young Women Christian Association, Advocacy for Child Justice, and the Archdiocese of Ndola, is urging the government to take swift and decisive action to address the crisis.

The coalition's concerns are rooted in the disturbing findings of the 2023 Zambia Prison Audit Report, which reveals that the country's correctional facilities are bursting at the seams, operating at an alarming 259% capacity. With 26,000 inmates crammed into 87 facilities designed for a mere 10,650, the consequences are dire: inhumane living conditions and a significant threat to the health and well-being of inmates.

Laura Miti, Executive Director of the Alliance for Community Action, emphasized the need for urgent reform, stressing that the government must take immediate action to address the crisis and uphold the human rights of inmates. To alleviate overcrowding, the coalition advocates for the appointment of more judges and magistrates to expedite the judicial process and increase the use of non-custodial sentences.

Dr. Lungowe Matakala, lead researcher of the 2023 prisons audit, underscored the need for a more nuanced approach to law enforcement, proposing that authorities refrain from making unnecessary arrests for minor offenses. She cited a striking example from the research, in which a young boy in Chipata, Eastern Province, was convicted for stealing two eggs, highlighting the need for a more compassionate and effective justice system.

Credit:
Dr. Lungowe Matakala for the Audit Report.
Pic Credit: Prisons and Correctional Centers 2023 Audit Report.