Officials advised to reduce prison congestion

Amend circulars if you have to; Minister wants to reduce prison congestion

by Zulfick Farzan 14-02-2020 | 12:48 PM

Colombo (News 1st) - Minister of Justice, Human Rights & Legal Reforms Nimal Siripala De Silva instructed for necessary measures to be in place to expedite the process of releasing the Government Analyst report to address congestion at prisons across the country.

Speaking to officials at the Ministry, the Minister instructed for necessary amendments be made to the circulars which are an obstruction to releasing the Government Analyst report or take other appropriate measures to address the issue.

According to the Justice Ministry, the meeting widely discussed the possibility of reducing congestion across prisons. Ministry Officials were further advised to prepare a program to separately rehabilitate those addicted to drugs and those in jail for peddling drugs.

It was revealed at the meeting, the transfer of dangerous criminals including underworld members and drug traffickers from prisons for legal matters poses a serious threat to the lives of the prison officers.

The Minister was of the view, it would be wise for a Judge to visit the prison on the said date of the case or appear via Skype to proceed with legal action.