More prisons

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Among a number of prisoners who were held under emergency regulations, 46 were released as there was no evidence against them, said the Prisons Commissioner General B.R. de Silva at a press conference held at the Mass Media and Information Ministry. The Commissioner General explaining the state of prisons in the country further said presently there are 620 prisoners in prisons who were arrested under emergency regulations. There are a total number of 28,700 prisoners in the country's prisons. Due to the large numbers involved prison administration has become difficult. "Therefore, we have taken steps to establish more prisons island-wide after dividing them into various categories."

We are also going to rehabilitate those addicted to drugs in rehabilitation centres. We have also taken steps to rehabilitate young prisoners in the 16-22 age group.

We planned to reestablish the Jaffna Prison and provide it with living facilities for 1,000 prisoners. Now there are only 450 prisoners in the Jaffna prison. Because of the war situation the Jaffna prison became vulnerable and the prisoners were settled in two houses.

"Under UNDP funding we have planned to provide a special place for children and mothers of prison inmates," he added.