Welfare measures for prisoners

by Mohammed NAALIR

Outlining several welfare measures for prisoners, Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara emphasised the need for treating prisoners without hurting their feelings.

He was speaking at a media briefing at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium last week on rehabilitating prisoners. He said reforming prisoners has remained a big problem since the country gained independence.

The first prison was set up in Sri Lanka in 1844.

During that period prisons were set up mainly for 'revenge and punishment'. Contrary to the old concept, prisons will now be converted into rehabilitation centres.

According to the Minister, congestion in prisons has become a major issue. There are facilities to accommodate only 11,000 prisoners, but 27,000 prisoners have been accommodated now. Four-hundred persons have been housed in a place which could accommodate only 100 or 200.

Congestion has led to various social and discipline problems in prisons while maintenance has also become a main issue.

Realising this necessity, the Government formulated a separate ministry to look into welfare measures for prisoners and the maintenance of prisons, Gunasekara said.

The Minister said that soon after he took over the responsibility of the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, he visited the Welikada Prison and directed the authorities to improve the sanitation facilities and common amenities for prisoners.

He said moves are in place to shift the prisons from cities such as Welikada, Matara, Galle and Tangalle to less crowded areas.

"Plans are also under way to allow children below five years of age to be with their mothers who are serving jail sentences.

A separate building will be made available in the Kalutara prison for this purpose", the Minister said.