After 50 years without screening, Maafushi Prison installs baggage scanner to tighten security

A baggage‑scanning machine has been introduced at Maafushi Prison to strengthen security on Monday, the first time such equipment has been installed at the country’s largest correctional facility.

The machine was inaugurated at a special ceremony officiated by Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan.

According to Maldives Correctional Service, the scanner was donated by Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL). It will be used to screen all items brought in by inmates on arrival, items sent by families, and belongings carried into isolated meeting areas.

In an interview with state media, Minister Ihusaan said the priority is to ensure that 100 percent of items entering prisons are scanned, noting that the government is working to make prisons secure, orderly and focused on rehabilitation.

ޖަލުތަކުގެ ސެކިއުރިޓީ ހަރުދަނާކުރުމަށް މާފުށީ ޖަލުގައި ބެގެޖް ސްކްރީނިންގ މެޝިނެއް ބޭނުންކުރަން ފަށައިފިhttps://t.co/qgelBbpws9@HomeMinistrymv @CustomsMv @ImmigrationMV @MACLmedia pic.twitter.com/6uv252KaOo

— Maldives Correctional Service (@CorrectionsMv) June 15, 2026

“The President has specifically said in this year’s presidential statement that scanning machines will be installed in the prison before the end of this year. So we have implemented what the President said,” Ihusaan said.

He added that it was “surprising” that Maafushi Prison had operated for half a century without such a basic security measure, calling the absence of screening equipment a serious oversight.