The Prisons Department says correctional centres are overcrowded because the subordinate courts are delaying to dispose off most cases.
This came to light during the presentation of a jail delivery in the Chipata High court, which has been opened by Judge Mathews Zulu this morning.
Officer in charge at Chipata correctional centre, Superintendent Singenda Mumbuwa added that the correctional centres have inadequate beddings for the inmates.
He however says inmates have enough food and no death has occurred from any correctional centre.
And Correctional centres in Eastern Province this morning opened with a total number of 1,971 inmates.
Superintendent Mumbuwa says Chipata’s Namuseche Correction centre opened with 1,005 inmates.
He says Petauke had 279 inmates, Lundazi had 273 inmates while Katete had 232 inmates. Nyimba had 182 inmates by 06 hours this morning.
And Judge Mathews Zulu promised to visit Katete correctional Centre on September 16th, 2016.