Majority of convicted prisoners only over grade 8: Census Dept

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Census and Statistics say that a majority of convicted prisoners who are directly admitted to prisons in 2020 have only passed grade 8.

In a graphical representation, the Department illustrated the educational level of the convicted prisoners directly admitted to the Prisons of Sri Lanka in 2020. 

According to the illustration, only 5.9% passed their G.C.E. Advanced level examinations, while only 19.4% passed their G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations.

Moreover, 0.3% of the total have been identified as graduates while 3% have had no schooling at all. 

Meanwhile, about 12.2% had attended grades 1-5 whilst 22.3% have passed grades 5.

Additionally, the Department says that in comparison to 2019, the number of inmates admitted directly to prisons in Sri Lanka has decreased by 32% in 2020. However, the vast majority of those incarcerated are convicted of drug-related crimes.

Furthermore, the Department also notes that the highest percentage of inmates admitted directly to prisons in Sri Lanka are reported to be in the age group of 30-39 years (38%), 40-49 years (24%) and 22-29 (20%) years respectively.