MCS uses force ‘within legal limit’ to control inmates during an altercation

Maldives Correctional Service says it used reasonable force within the legal limit to lock up disobedient inmates in their designated cells at Maafushi Prison last Monday evening.

MCS reports that inmates and suspects held on remand at the facility had been continuously harassing and challenging the orders of prison officers and disobeying prison rules since the violent confrontation in the prison on June 20.

It said that MCS ran a special operation on Monday evening after several inmates refused to return to their cells at the required time despite repeated instructions and warnings.

“As it put the status of the entire prison at risk, on the evening of June 24, 2019, all disobedient inmates were put into their designated cells using force within the legally permissible limit,” said the MCS in a statement it issued regarding the incident this Tuesday.

MCS said that many of the inmates who had originally disobeyed had complied once it began the operation and voluntarily returned to their cells.

“Pepper spray was used in the effort to return the inmates who disobeyed the prison officers and refused to return to their cells,” said the agency.

MCS said the entire operation was video documented.

Maldives Police Service confirms one of its squads was stationed outside the prison on standby in case MCS needed assistance during its operation.

Several unidentified prison officers at Maafushi Prison have been accused of using excessive force on inmates following an attack by an inmate on an officer on June 20.

One prison officer and six inmates were treated for injuries from the confrontations.