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| Sunday, 03 August 2003 |
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New image for Boosa remand Prison by SHANIKA SRIYANANDA The Boosa Remand Prison (BRP) known to house hardcore criminals, will soon acquire a new image as Sri Lanka's first 'Drug Rehabilitation Centre'. Commissioner General of Prisons, Rumy Marzook, who is initiating this change as part of his sweeping prison reform scheme, said that drug addicts and others convicted of drug-related offences from prisons across the country will be transferred to the BRP shortly. Separation of drug addicts from other criminals is a long-felt need, he said, explaining that the move will better facilitate their rehabilitation. According to Marzook, the number of convicted drug-related offences has shown a marked increase with more than 300 persons being sent to jail everyday. Forty per cent of all prisoners, he said, were sentenced for drug-related offences. According to statistics, over 21,665 have been convicted for drug offences, the majority from the Western province. Most are school dropouts and are below 30 years of age. The highest number convicted and remanded are for dealing in or using heroin, with cannabis coming in second. Of the total number of prisoners on narcotic offences, a majority are behind bars for less than a year. |
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