MALE, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has started implementing community sentencing as an alternative to prison terms for people convicted of minor offenses, Maldives state media PSM News reported on Tuesday.
The proposed program will place eligible offenders in public benefit projects, including municipal maintenance, environmental cleanups and infrastructure support, with close supervision and regular performance reviews.
Officials said the policy will not apply to people convicted of serious or violent crimes or those serving long-term sentences.
MCS said the reform is part of broader efforts to improve prison conditions, strengthen human rights protection, and expand vocational and life-skills training in line with international restorative justice practices.
The Maldives established the legal basis for non-custodial sentencing under its Penal Code in 2014, but it is only now that MCS is taking steps to implement non-custodial punishments, PSM News said. ■
