Mutharika Pardons 222 Prisoners

President Peter Mutharika has pardoned 222 prisoners as part of the 2025 Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Ministry of Homeland Security has announced.

According to the Ministry, those released include inmates who have served at least half of their sentences and have demonstrated good behavior.

The group includes the elderly, women, and chronically ill prisoners.
In addition, the President has granted a general amnesty of nine months to eligible prisoners serving determinate sentences.

The amnesty does not apply to repeat offenders or those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, armed robbery, human trafficking and offenses against persons with albinism or disabilities.

Officials say the move is expected to reduce the prison population by about 15 percent, affecting roughly 2,640 inmates nationwide.

The Ministry emphasized that the pardons and amnesty are within the President’s constitutional powers.

This initiative forms part of government efforts to ease overcrowding in prisons while promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.