Zambia’s prison audit shows 16% of inmates are awaiting trial, often held in cells with criminals

The 2023 Prison Audit Report has exposed severe overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, food shortages, and poor rehabilitation programs in Zambia’s 87 correctional facilities, calling for urgent reforms to improve conditions and protect inmates’ rights.

Presenting the report in Lusaka on Thursday, Laura Miti, Executive Director of the Alliance for Community Action, revealed that beyond poor infrastructure, inefficiencies in Zambia’s criminal justice system—including prolonged pre-trial detentions, corruption, and lack of legal aid—were worsening the situation.

According to the report, 4,240 remandees, representing 16 percent of inmates, are awaiting trial and are often held in the same cells as convicted criminals, violating their right to a fair and timely judicial process.

“Delayed hearings, document mismanagement, and frequent adjournments contribute to excessive detention periods,” the report stated. “Many inmates lack legal representation, while corruption within judicial and law enforcement agencies hinders access to bail, bond, and amnesty mechanisms.”

The report also highlighted that vulnerable groups, including juveniles, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, faced discrimination, inadequate care, and heightened risks of abuse within correctional facilities.

To address these challenges, civil society organizations (CSOs) are calling for immediate and long-term interventions.

Short-term measures include reducing unnecessary arrests, promoting restorative justice, increasing non-custodial sentences, streamlining bail and bond procedures, and expanding parole and amnesty programs.

In the long term, CSOs are advocating for increased investment in correctional infrastructure, enhanced rehabilitation and reintegration programs, judicial and legal reforms, and stronger multi-stakeholder collaborations.

Miti commended the government for commissioning the audit, stating that it provides a research-backed foundation for addressing Zambia’s prison crisis.

“The fact that the government undertook this audit shows its commitment to understanding and resolving these challenges,” she said.

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However, she stressed the urgent need for systemic and sustainable reforms to uphold the dignity and rights of inmates while improving the criminal justice system.

“We call upon the government, Parliament, Judiciary, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders to act now and transform Zambia’s correctional system into a humane, effective, and rehabilitative institution that aligns with international human rights standards,” Miti stated.

Miti spoke on behalf of 15 CSOs, including Alliance for Community Action, Barefeet Theatre, Caritas, Undikumbukire Project Zambia, Prisoners’ Future Foundation, Archdiocese of Ndola (CCJP), Mother of Millions Foundation, and Sperlyn Foundation.

Other supporting organizations included Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), the Healing Balm Foundation, Kitwe District Land Alliance (KDLA), Paralegal Alliance Network, Advocacy for Child Justice (ACJ), Law and Development Association (LADA), and Prison Care and Counselling Association (PRISCCA).

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