Balaka Prison

Balaka Prison, also known as Balaka Maximum Security Prison, is a prison located in Balaka, Malawi.^[1] The prison has a capacity of approximately 1,500 inmates, but it usually holds more than 2,000 prisoners due to overcrowding. The prison provides a safe and secure environment for the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.^[2]

Balaka Prison

Location	Balaka Township, Malawi, Malawi
Coordinates	14°55′S 34°52′E
Status	Operational
Security class	Maximum (male and female)
Capacity	1,500
Opened	1971
Managed by	Malawi Prison Service

History

Formation

Balaka Prison was established in 1971 during the Kamuzu Banda era as a maximum-security prison to house political prisoners and criminals.^[3]

Balaka Prison is situated in the township of Balaka, in Balaka District, approximately 250 kilometers north of Blantyre.^[4]

Facilities

The prison has several facilities, including cellblocks, a chapel, a mosque, a hospital, and recreational facilities. The prison also has a farm that produces food for the inmates.

Aim

The prison aims at providing a humane and dignified treatment of inmates, preparing them for reintegration into society upon release.^[5]