A new unit of Hulhumale’ Prison has been opened in Hulhumale’ Phase 1 at a building previously used as a COVID-19 treatment facility.

The building, located in front of Treetop Hospital, is now operating as the sixth unit of Hulhumale’ Prison. According to the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS), the two-storey facility can accommodate up to 149 inmates.

MCS said 16 inmates from the first batch were transferred to the new prison unit yesterday.

The prison will be equipped with air conditioning to better accommodate inmates from the Male’ area. Corrections officials also said work on the ground floor will be completed by June, helping reduce transportation costs for court appearances and medical visits.