Changing attitudes toward better prison rehabilitation

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry will change the attitudes of prison officers and create a good surrounding with good manners in prisons with the objective of reintegrating rehabilitated prisoners into society as refined people, Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera said at a press conference held recently at the ministry.

The ministry has taken measures to strengthen the training and research unit of the ministry by providing special training for them to perform that task. About 19,000 prisoners have already been rehabilitated the minister said. He also said the ministry will conduct prisoners’ family meetings to provide an opportunity for prisoners to meet their family members to strengthen the bond between family members and prisoners.

The main family meeting ceremony will be held at the Pallekele Prison premises on September 4.

The ministry plans to reduce the number of prisoners and expenses and also plans to shift the Galle, Tangalle, Matara, Anuradhapura and Kandy prisons to other places, he said.