The transfer of prisoners follows a strict penitentiary procedure. An investigation is underway to identify responsibilities in the disappearance of eleven Chinese detainees.
The transfer of a prisoner from one prison to another does not fall directly under the central ministry. This authority lies with the penitentiary administration, according to several officials from the Ministry of Justice.
“The decision is made either at the regional directorate level of the penitentiary administration or by a commission within the penitentiary administration,” explained a facility head who requested anonymity yesterday. The regional director is competent when the transfer occurs between two prisons in the same region, for example between Antanimora and Avaradrano.
Several reasons can justify a transfer: the undisciplined behavior of a detainee, the risk of unrest in a facility, or the decongestion of a prison. “The head of the establishment then requests the transfer, and the request is granted at the level of the regional directorate of the penitentiary administration,” our source continues.
When the request comes from the detainee or their family, particularly to be closer to loved ones and facilitate visits as well as the delivery of food, it is examined by a commission at the level of the penitentiary administration directorate. The same applies to transfers between two establishments located in different regions, such as Antanimora and Ambalatavoahangy.
“The departure and arrival establishments must be represented on this commission, as each facility head provides their opinion. They may indicate that they cannot manage the detainee or refuse their arrival for fear of unrest. As with any commission, some requests are accepted, others rejected,” specifies another facility head.
When a request is accepted, a transfer decision is sent to the receiving establishment. “The transfer must then be carried out under escort. Penitentiary agents take charge of the detainee. Upon arrival, the head of the receiving establishment issues an acknowledgment of receipt. Only then is the transfer finalized,” the source continues.
It is in this context that the case of the eleven Chinese nationals whose disappearance was noted in the penitentiary establishments arises. According to information provided by the ministry, the events date back to August 21 and 25, 2026.
Five Chinese detainees were transferred on August 21 from Avaradrano prison to Antanimora. They left less than an hour after their arrival. On August 25, six other Chinese nationals followed the same path. Having entered the establishment, they left about thirty minutes later.
According to a source at the Ministry of Justice, the absence of these eleven detainees at the Antanimora central prison was only noted during the second wave of transfers of Chinese prisoners to their country on September 24.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-23 06:38:43 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/monde-carceral-le-transfert-de-detenus.html