New Hulhumalé Prison Unit Opens to Ease Critical Capacity Constraints

The government has inaugurated a new prison facility, Unit 6, in Hulhumalé to address ongoing capacity shortages within the national correctional system. The two-storey unit has been constructed on the site of a former COVID-19 facility, repurposing existing infrastructure to meet urgent security and housing needs. According to Hulhumalé Prison Director DSP Ahmed Jaadhullah, the expansion is a priority following the closure of the Male’ Prison. The facility is specifically designed to house inmates who are assigned to technical work within the Male’ area, streamlining the logistics of inmate labor and supervision. The new unit consists of five planned cells. Currently, one cell is fully operational and houses 16 prisoners. Once the remaining four cells are completed by the end of September, the facility will provide an additional 140 spaces, significantly easing the pressure on the prison's current population. To ensure a standard of living consistent with correctional guidelines, the unit is equipped with bunk beds, air conditioning, fans, a dedicated mess room, a prayer room, and laundry facilities. In a notable move toward rehabilitation and skill-building, the project was developed with the direct assistance of prisoners and correctional staff. This expansion is part of a broader strategic effort to modernize and enlarge the Maldives' penal infrastructure. Over the last two years, the government has added approximately 400 spaces across the prison system to ensure better management of the inmate population and to improve overall conditions within the facilities.