Inmates who complete rehab to be eligible for sentence reductions and pardons

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to make penal reforms that will make inmates who complete prison-based rehabilitations programs eligible for sentence reductions and even pardons.

The President’s Office announced the decision in a statement on Monday afternoon.

According to the statement, President Muizzu made the decision following deliberations on a paper presented by the Homeland Security Ministry during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

President’s Office said that the sentence reductions and pardons will be granted through a structured system for those who complete rehabilitation programs in accordance with guidelines set by the Homeland Security Ministry and Maldives Correctional Service.

According to the President’s Office, President Muizzu also approved a comprehensive plan to expand work opportunities for inmates both within and outside prison facilities through prison-based rehabilitation programs.

Other key reforms approved by the president includes:

• Implementing a new rehabilitation framework
• Modifying the system to enhance employment prospects for inmates both inside and outside prisons
• Integrating the rehabilitation framework with pardon, parole and sentence reduction mechanisms
• Expansion of community service initiatives

According to the President’s Office, relevant government agencies have been assigned specific responsibilities, with a defined timeline for achieving and monitoring key objectives, in order to ensure the proper implementation of the reforms.

The Clemency Act allows for inmates to petition the President for reductions in their sentence and presidential pardons.

However, this does not apply to inmates convicted of serious offenses such as murder, rape, sexual assault of children. But in cases of murder convictions, the President has the power to commute death penalties to life sentences.