[1][2] Blantyre Central Prison was established in 1901 during the British colonial era, with the aim of detaining and rehabilitating offenders from the southern region of Malawi.

Initially, the prison had a small capacity, but it has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate the growing inmate population.

These include:[5][6] Blantyre Central Prison has a maximum capacity of approximately 2,000 inmates, although it often holds more due to overcrowding.

The vision of Blantyre Central Prison is to become a model correctional facility in Malawi, providing effective rehabilitation programs and producing law-abiding citizens upon release.

The mission of the prison is to provide a safe, secure, and rehabilitative environment for inmates, staff, and the community, through effective management, efficient resource allocation, and collaboration with stakeholders.