Asseyri Prison to be assigned to Drug Agency to be developed as Rehab

The government has decided to hand over Asseyri prison in K. Himmafushi to National Drug Agency.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohamed Fayaz said today that a Rehabilitation Centre, as required by the drug prevention act, will be built at Asseyri prison.

Asseyri prison can accommodate 200 people. Fayaz said that the prison is being assigned to Drug Agency on the condition that rehabilitation is provided for 100 people who are sentenced to prison.

He said that Asseyri prison currently holds 90 inmates, who will soon be transferred to Male’ prison or Maafushi prison.

“We decided to develop this place as a rehabilitation centre, despite not having enough space in prisons, because drug issues are a serious challenge to the Maldivian society, and we give it priority,” Fayaz said.

Fayaz said that work is underway to expand Maafushi prison, and that a prison is being constructed at Hdh. Neykurendhoo. Prison capacity will increase by 800 once these projects are completed.