Malawi’s First Private Reformatory: Transforming Justice for Children
Mwayi Wosintha‘s Private Reformatory Centre represents a groundbreaking intervention in Malawi’s child justice system—the country’s first and only private reformatory facility dedicated to removing children from adult prisons and providing safe, rehabilitative environments where genuine transformation is possible.
Every day in Malawi, children as young as 10 years old serve custodial sentences in adult prisons alongside hardened criminals. They face daily violence, sexual abuse, and exposure to diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and syphilis. These children—whose offending is almost always poverty-driven—emerge from incarceration more traumatized and damaged than when they entered, with virtually no chance of building different lives.
Our Private Reformatory Centre breaks this cycle. Since its establishment, the PRC has provided comprehensive, dignity-centered rehabilitation for children in conflict with the law, demonstrating that with the right support, even the most vulnerable children can rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
The Crisis: Children Behind Bars
A System Under Strain
In 2010, Malawi enacted the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (CCPJA), progressive legislation designed to establish a welfare-based approach to juvenile justice. The Act created legal frameworks for reformatory centres, diversion programmes, and alternatives to incarceration—recognizing that children are fundamentally different from adults and deserve different treatment under the law.
However, implementation has been severely hampered by chronic resource constraints. The result is a crisis:
The Reality for Children in Adult Prisons
- Children serve sentences alongside adults, violating international standards.
- Daily exposure to violence, abuse, and sexual exploitation.
- High risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis, and other diseases.
- No access to education, rehabilitation, or preparation for reintegration.
- Severe psychological trauma that compounds original vulnerabilities.
How the the crisis looks in numbers
- As of 2014, approximately 7.7% of Malawi’s prison population was under age 18.
- This translates to nearly 942 children held in adult detention facilities.
- Most are incarcerated for poverty-driven survival crimes.
- The vast majority receive no rehabilitative services or reintegration support.
- Recidivism rates remain high due to systemic failures.
The Root Cause: Poverty, Not Criminality
- Extreme poverty drives children to steal food or basic necessities for survival.
- Family breakdown from HIV/AIDS, death, or abandonment leaves children without protection.
- Educational exclusion forces school dropouts into informal economies and survival strategies.
- Exploitation by adults who use children for criminal activities.
Our Solution:
The Private Reformatory Centre
A Safe Haven for Healing and Transformation
The Private Reformatory Centre is fundamentally different from traditional detention. We created this facility with one absolute priority: removing children from adult prisons and providing a safe, positive, genuinely rehabilitative environment.
What Makes the PRC Unique?
Child-Centered, Trauma-Informed Environment
Unlike adult prisons focused on punishment, the PRC is designed for healing and development. Every aspect of the facility and programme reflects an understanding that these children have experienced significant trauma and require specialized, compassionate care.
Comprehensive, Holistic Support
We don’t simply confine children—we provide wraparound services addressing health, education, mental health, vocational skills, and preparation for successful reintegration. Every child receives individualized support tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
Evidence-Based Rehabilitation and programming
Our programmes are grounded in proven methodologies including cognitive behavioral approaches, choice theory, reality therapy, and our proprietary “Three Pillars” development model. We help children understand their behavior, make better choices, and envision positive futures.
Dignity and Respect
Every child is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their alleged offenses. We believe in their inherent worth and their capacity for change. This fundamental belief shapes every interaction and programme component.
Preparation for Successful Lives
Rehabilitation is not enough. We prepare children for sustainable, crime-free futures through vocational training, enterprise development, education continuation, and comprehensive reintegration planning.
Investment Opportunities: How You Can Help
The Private Reformatory Centre operates on a comprehensive budget covering:
Facility operations: Maintenance, utilities, security, and administration.
Staffing: Rehabilitation specialists, teachers, vocational trainers, counselors, health workers, support staff.
Healthcare: Medical supplies, medications, health personnel, referrals.
Programme delivery: Materials, equipment, supplies for all programme components.
Food and nutrition: Three nutritious meals daily plus snacks for growing children.
Education: Books, supplies, exam fees, and formal schooling support.
Vocational training: Tools, equipment, materials for all trades.
Reintegration: Startup packages, family mediation, community consultation, ongoing support.
Funders can support specific programme components aligned with their priorities.
Hover over each component to learn more
Health & Wellness
Comprehensive medical care addressing the immediate and long-term health needs of children removed from adult prisons.
Medical screening and treatment
Mental health counseling
HIV/AIDS and TB treatment
Nutrition and meal provision
Education Programme
Educational support ensuring children continue learning and develop literacy skills for future opportunities.
Literacy and numeracy instruction
Formal schooling continuation
Educational materials and supplies
Exam preparation and certification
Vocational Training
Practical skills training in marketable trades, enabling children to earn sustainable livelihoods upon release.
Carpentry, tailoring, agriculture
Tools, equipment, and materials
Business planning and entrepreneurship
Workshop operations and maintenance
Reintegration Support
Comprehensive preparation and ongoing support ensuring successful return to families and communities.
Family mediation and reconciliation
Community consultation and sponsorship
Income-generating startup packages
Ongoing follow-up and crisis support
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Evidence-based behavioral programmes helping children understand their choices and build positive futures.
Three Pillars development model
Choice theory and reality therapy
Trauma-informed counseling
Life skills and personal development
Facility Operations
Core operational support ensuring the PRC provides a safe, clean, and supportive environment for rehabilitation.
Facility maintenance and utilities
Security and safety measures
Staffing and administration
Program coordination and oversight