12.Kasungu prison 13.Mzimba prison 14.Nkhata Bay prison 15.Mzuzu prison Co-operation received during the visit ruitful discussions were held with Justice D. Tambala, Chairman of the Inspectorate of Prisons and Mr W. Manyera, Chief Commissioner of Prisons F and regional commissioners of prisons. The 13 prisons visited represent 6,291 prisoners, that is 81% of the total prison population in Malawi. However, the Special Rapporteur regrets that no Minister had time to receive the delegation since they were attending budget session. Consultations undertaken by the delegation The Special Rapporteur is particularly grateful to His Excellency the State President, Dr. Bakili Muluzi for the time he devoted to discussions with her and to the immediate actions he took. Authorities - His Excellency the State President, Dr. Bakili Muluzi Chairman of the Inspectorate of Prisons, Justice D. Tambala Mr W. Manyera, Chief Commissioner of Prisons - Regional Commissioners of prisons NGOs s regards non-governmental organisations, the delegation met representatives the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Penal Reform International, Malawi Carer, Women's voice, Interparty Peace and Unity. A A Media he Special Rapporteur also met and had interviews with representatives from The Nation publications, Misa - Malawi, MDS, the Daily Times, TV T Malawi. Prisoners n addition, a number of prisoners were interviewed in private, individually or in groups in each prison and police station visited. l The Special Rapporteur appreciates the very constructive way in which the State President took note of the observations made regarding the prisons and police stations of Malawi and subsequently reacted to them by deciding to go and visit Zomba prison himself. Most of the recommendations were immediately implemented and many items were donated to the prison to put right some of the problems such as blankets, soap, bread, wheat for nsima, sugar, plastic plates, buckets. Items to be used for repairing damaged walls and stairs were also donated.The President released 800 prisoners and promised to attend to other prisons as well. The delegation had free access to the establishments of its choice and could visit all units and buildings without any difficulty. The delegation was received in a very satisfactory way by the officers in charge and by staff. There was a delay in gaining access to Kachere Lilongwe remand prison, however, this was due to the delegation arriving after the lock up of prisoners which had taken place early that day. The delegation could visit the prison the day after. The delegation was allowed to have private interviews with prisoners individually or in larger groups despite the tension that reigned sometimes during the visits and the hostility showed by prisoners who complained that there had been numerous visits by various delegations but they had no positive results so far (Maula, Zomba). The Special Rapporteur and her delegation received considerable assistance from Malawi Carer. The effective action they took to help prepare the programme and to overcome the difficulties encountered by the delegation in the course of the visit should be stressed. The Special Rapporteur would like also to thank paralegal officers of the Paralegal Advisory Service who accompanied her during some of her visits and