Four newly developed cell blocks under the expansion of Unit Six at Hulhumalé Prison will open this week as part of efforts to address space constraints at the facility, the Maldives Correctional Service has announced.

The new blocks have been developed in a newly constructed two-storey building on the site of the former COVID-19 facility. The building will serve as Unit Six of Hulhumalé Prison and has been designed to accommodate inmates serving their sentences while working in vocational programmes in the Malé area. The unit also includes holding cells for inmates.

The Correctional Service said the new unit features bunk beds, air conditioning, and ceiling fans in the cells. It also includes a mess hall, prayer room, and laundry facilities. The development work was carried out jointly by correctional staff and inmates assigned to work programmes within the prison.

Once the project is fully completed, prison capacity will increase by 140 beds, providing additional space to accommodate inmates brought to Malé for court appearances and medical treatment. The Correctional Service said the expansion is also expected to provide a long-term solution to the logistical and weather-related challenges currently faced when transporting inmates for these services.

Unit Six consists of five cell blocks. The first block, which accommodates 16 inmates, was opened on 24 May. With the opening of the four remaining blocks this week, the unit's capacity will increase to 48 beds.

The Government has identified the One Prison Concept as the long-term solution to prison overcrowding in the Maldives. Under this initiative, the Government aims to add 500 prison beds during the current Administration.

The Correctional Service said prison capacity has already increased by 400 beds over the past two years under the Government's prison expansion programme.