Mental relief for prisoners

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry has commenced issuing reports certifying the mental health of prisoners paving the way for their release.

A report on the mental health of a prisoner who developed mental illness while in prison is required, for his release.

"A large number of prisoners who were held up in prisons due to the non availability of the report will now be able to go home because of the quick action taken by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena," a Health Ministry sources said.

According to the spokesman, many prisoners develop mental sicknesses due to their imprisonment and they need a report from the `Visitors Board' stating that they are fit to get released.

The `Visitors Board' should be appointed by the Health Minister using his powers as stated in the National Mental Health Policy.

But during the past 10 years this `Visitors Board' was not appointed and as a result a large number of prisoners were held up in prisons for no reason because they could not produce the `Visitors Board's Report' to get them released.

The first meeting of this `Visitors Board' already been held and a significant number of reports issued to prisoners enabling them to get released. The second meeting of the board is to be held in next week, he said.

The appointment of the `Visitors Board' by Minister Sirisena has already brought a huge relief for the prisoners and their loved ones.

The Mental Health Division of the Health Ministry handles this task, he added.