Audit Exposes Rs 444 Million Yearly Drain from Prison Remand Crisis

A stinging report from the Audit Office has revealed that the detention of prisoners on remand is costing the state an estimated Rs 444 million annually. The figure represents a staggering 43% of the total prison budget, sparking urgent calls for structural reform within the penal system.

Data from August 2025 shows that out of a total population of 2,842 inmates, 1,223 (43%) were being held on remand.

To mitigate the resulting financial and social pressures, auditors have recommended the immediate formation of a high-level committee.

This body—comprising the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, the police, and prison services—would be tasked with accelerating case processing.

Security Failures and Surveillance Gaps

Beyond financial concerns, the report highlights critical security lapses across major facilities. At the Melrose Eastern High Security Prison (MEHSP), an audit for the 2023-2024 financial year identified numerous “blind spots” where CCTV cameras have yet to be installed.

Furthermore, vehicles used for prisoner transport lack video surveillance, creating what auditors describe as “high risks” during transfers.

At Beau Bassin prison, a Rs 13.3 million contract for 295 IP-based CCTV cameras has fallen into disarray.

Although a firm was awarded the 60-month lease in December 2023 at a monthly cost of Rs 220,995, the provider ceased operations in May 2025. By September 2025, 195 cameras remained uninstalled.

The prison has been forced to extend existing contracts on a month-to-month basis while the Audit Office advises legal action against the non-compliant supplier.

Broken Equipment and Management Failures

The audit also “pinned” the Commissioner of Prisons for failing to replace essential security technology in a timely manner. Key findings include:

• The BOSS Chair: A specialised chair used to detect objects hidden inside the body at Beau Bassin has been “out of service” since April 2015 and is now deemed irreparable.
• Signal Jammers: Equipment intended to block mobile phone use at the high-security Melrose facility has been defective and unreplaced since 2017.
• Maintenance: The administration currently operates without any formal policy or maintenance plan for its security infrastructure.

Recommendations for Reform

The Audit Office has called for the urgent replacement of both the BOSS chair and the signal jammers to prevent a total security breakdown.

To ensure future readiness, the report advocates for the establishment of a dedicated Maintenance Committee to oversee all prison infrastructure.

Source: Defi Media