Social Service Ministry to research on prisoner families

COLOMBO: The Social Service Ministry has undertaken a research study on the plight of prisoner families who suffer the indirect effect of imprisonment of the breadwinner.

This is part of an islandwide survey undertaken by the Ministry on core areas relevant to the Ministry of Social Services.

Among the other projects is a survey of the family whereabouts of all discarded mental patients at the Mulleriyawa hospital.

A survey will also be done on the family details of persons addicted to liquor as well, as illegal substances.

Supernumerary graduates have been enlisted by the Ministry to undertake the surveys.

According to the Social Service Ministry release, Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Viji Jegarasasingam has requested Ministry officials to conduct islandwide surveys on the core areas of her Ministry to revamp the national task of policy formulation.

In a move to get the best out of the supernumerary graduates numbering in hundreds she has chosen to investigate prison out-care. This is a survey of prisoner families who suffer the indirect effect of imprisonment of the breadwinner.

The large number of families with children who come to her office on a daily basis, where the father is in prison, has prompted the Secretary to liaise with the prison authorities to conduct this research. Among other important projects are a survey of the family whereabouts and supports of the hundreds of discarded mental patients at Mulleriyawa.

Once the data is collected, the material and other support can be made available to rehabilitate these individuals, many of them women, Jegarasasingam said.

There will also be a survey of family details of persons addicted to illegal substances and alcohol.

The Ministry also intends to do a survey of homeless and street people in major cities. The Ministry intends to follow up on the results of these surveys and take steps to alleviate ill effects with the cooperation of Provincial Councils and organisations under the Ministry.