- Making laws/procedures on specific minor offences and ankle bracelet use underway
The process of making laws and procedures to implement a house-arrest system, which was recently revealed by the Justice authorities, is still in its initial phase. However, the Prisons authorities opine that once introduced, this new system would help address the overcrowding issue in prisons, which has become a pressing concern in recent memory.
Noting that this system will be applicable for those convicted of minor offences, the Prisons Commissioner (Operations, Intelligence and Security) and the Prisons Department’s Media Spokesperson, Gamini B. Dissanayake, said that the specific minor offences which would be considered under the house-arrest system are yet to be declared. He told The Daily Morning that this system would involve getting convicts of minor offences to wear an ankle bracelet, which would make it possible for the authorities to monitor their location and movement, through a court order. He opined that the relevant laws that are being drafted will likely include provisions to re-arrest and re-remand those who violate the conditions of the house-arrest system.
The Ministry’s plans to implement a house-arrest system for those convicted of civil offences had been revealed by the State Minister of Justice and Prison Affairs, attorney Anuradha Jayaratne. The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact Jayaratne regarding this, were not successful. However, he was also quoted as saying that the Legal Draftsman’s Department is drafting the necessary laws, which will be tabled in Parliament for enactment in due course.
“This system is being considered in response to several issues such as the overcrowding in prisons, the cost of maintaining prisoners, and convicts of minor offences that don’t warrant imprisonment being sent to prison,” Dissanayake added.
When inquired about other measures taken by the Prisons authorities to deal with the overcrowding issue, he explained that the Department has instructed the relevant authorities to send convicts of minor offences, including those sentenced for a month or two in prison, to open correctional centres such as the one situated in Pallansena, Negombo. In addition, instructions have been issued to repair, if necessary, and use certain Department-owned buildings, which were not originally built to house prisoners but for other purposes, to detain prisoners. He added that the Department also extends its support to provide bail for those eligible to get bail.
The prisons overcrowding issue, which has been flagged by a number of parties including the Government and the Prisons authorities, has become a bigger concern following the inception of the anti-organised crime and anti-drug operation Yukthiya (Justice). The operation results in hundreds, if not over a thousand arrests each day, with a number of such arrestees also being sent for rehabilitation.