Prisons Spokesperson Jagath Weerasinghe has disclosed that Sri Lanka’s prison system is currently accommodating over 33,000 inmates, nearly three times its intended capacity of 12,000.
Addressing a press conference held in Colombo yesterday, Weerasinghe stated that the total capacity of the 36 prisons operating under the Department of Prisons is limited to just 12,000 inmates. However, the current prison population stands at an alarming 33,000.
In response to this severe overcrowding, the spokesperson announced that the Department of Prisons has initiated a special rehabilitation program aimed at transforming inmates into productive and responsible members of society.
He further noted that a substantial budget has been allocated to implement this initiative effectively. As part of the program, inmates will be provided with National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificates to enhance their skills and better prepare them for reintegration into society.
Weerasinghe emphasized that the goal is to equip prisoners with the tools and training needed to become positive contributors to the community upon their release.
