Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has pardoned more than 100 prisoners and ordered their immediate release from jail in an effort to ease overcrowding, the government announced on Thursday.

'The president has with immediate effect extended amnesty to 103 prisoners across the republic,' Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwashya announced in a statement.

'Ours is a prison system which fosters a human face and aims to reform prisoners so that they can play a useful role in society.'

Shikapwashya said the government had also established a parole board to deal with applications for the release of prisoners serving various jail terms.

'We believe that this will significantly contribute to reducing congestion in our prisons,' he said.

More prisons are expected to be built this year to address the problem of overcrowding, the minister said.