House committee explores measures to ease prison overcrowding

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has begun formulating a systematic programme to reduce prison overcrowding and inmate density, with discussions focusing on legal reforms, alternative sentencing and improvements to prison administration.

The Committee, chaired by MP Dr. Najith Indika, met recently in Parliament to review measures being implemented by the Government to address overcrowding in prisons.

Among the measures discussed were increasing the number of prison officers, transferring inmates to other correctional facilities, improving prison infrastructure, enhancing the efficiency of the Government Analyst's Department, introducing legislative amendments, expanding prison capacity, expediting judicial proceedings and promoting community correction programmes.

The Committee also identified the need to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance No. 17 of 1929, while stressing the importance of distinguishing between drug traffickers and persons suffering from drug addiction.

Officials of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration informed the Committee that steps were being taken to establish the technological infrastructure required to facilitate house arrest as an alternative to remanding accused persons in prison.

The Committee further discussed improving the efficiency of the bail system, reducing delays in court proceedings, encouraging alternative sentences for minor offences, modernising prison management, strengthening prison security and rehabilitation programmes, and expanding the use of community service and other non-custodial measures for minor drug-related offences and petty crimes.

The welfare of female inmates and children under the age of five living with them in prisons also came under discussion. The Committee considered arrangements for the care of such children after they reach the age of five, including the possibility of placing them under the care of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.

Members also deliberated on strengthening rehabilitation and community correction programmes for persons with drug addiction, as well as possible interventions for remand prisoners who remain in custody solely because they cannot afford bail.

Before finalising its report, the Committee agreed to meet prison officers to obtain their views and to conduct observation visits to several prisons to assess conditions firsthand.

The meeting was attended by Committee members Ajith P. Perera, G.G. Ponnambalam, Mujibur Rahuman, M.K.M. Aslam, Thushari Jayasinghe and Major General (Retd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara. MPs K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Hasara Liyanage also attended with the permission of the Chair. Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinasena, Acting Commissioner General of Prisons R. Prasad Hemantha Kumara and officials representing relevant institutions were also present.