Inmates at Kasungu Prison dancing during an awareness session
In a move to bring justice closer to the people, the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) continues to take its public legal education efforts beyond offices and courtrooms, right into the heart of communities and behind prison walls.
Recent awareness campaigns saw LAB teams spread out across Malawi’s regions, reaching people in the comfort of their villages. In the north, the team engaged villagers in Senior Chief Timbiri’s area in Nkhatabay.
In the south, they were welcomed by community members in Traditional Authority Chimaliro’s area. In the east, Group Village Headman Mpasa hosted the sessions, while Kasungu Prison was the target location in the central region.
During these interactive sessions, LAB’s lawyers and assistants shared information on how the law works in everyday life and how ordinary Malawians can access quality legal aid services.
What made the campaigns stand out was the immediate support offered: community members and inmates were able to register cases and receive legal advice on the spot.
At Kasungu Prison, a facility designed for 200 inmates but currently overcrowded with more than 550, the visit brought a wave of both hope and healing. Inmates not only had their statements recorded for bail applications, but also enjoyed moments of joy, dancing to music brought in by LAB.
In the villages, sessions focused on preventing both criminal and civil offenses, and educating the public on when and how to seek legal aid.
LAB continues to bridge the justice gap, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to understanding and accessing the law.
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