Zomba Central Prison, Malawi … Zomba Central Prison is the main prison in Malawi. It is located across the road from Zomba Central Hospital, and on the southwestern edge of the old Capital city of Zomba. The prison is home to over 2,000 inmates, including not only men, but also about 30 women and children who are housed in a separate section of the prison.
In recent months the Prison Service has experienced severe food shortages, and prison officials have sought assistance from various organizations, including the Malawi Project. The problem is not only compounded by the current famine, and a cash starved federal government, but also because of rapidly increasing prices, and food shortages nationwide.
The inmates produce food in fields adjacent to the prison, but have only hand held hoes with which to do the work. Thus, the workers are unable to cultivate enough land to produce the food needed to feed 2,000+ inmates.
The Malawi Project and World Emergency Relief have been working with the Ministry of Internal security for over 9 years to provide assistance to the prisons, including large amounts of food, medical supplies, and wheelchairs. More recently the amount of food sent to the prison has been increased. Additionally, in order to help reverse the trend of the prisoners having to depend on outside food donations, a “Walk-Behind” (V-Tractor) has been donated to the Prison system by the Malawi Project with help and support from Tom Rich of Agricultural Aid International and World Emergency Relief. The new, innovative farm tractor is expected to increase yields, and thus be able to supply more of the food needed to last from one harvest to the next.
The arrival of the tractor has been long awaited by prison officials as they try to find ways to the reduce suffering among the inmates. Pictured on the day the tractor was delivered to the prison are Richard Stephens of the Malawi Project, and prison officials on hand for the turning over ceremony.