• Talks up rehab units for those on death row
• proposed house arrest for minor offenders

Minister of Prison Affairs and Justice, President’s Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe stated that it is the Government’s responsibility to take care of the welfare of imprisoned inmates, regardless of the severity of the offences that they have committed.

Speaking at an event held at the Ministry of Justice, he added that the relevant inspection committees should take measures to provide additional welfare facilities for prison inmates, apart from the facilities provided by the Government.

Furthermore, he highlighted the measures that have been taken to amend the Prisons Ordinance in a ‘humane manner’ for the first time since 1934, adding that six units have been established within the existing prisons to rehabilitate death row inmates.

Rajapakshe also said that a committee has already been appointed to formulate new laws to place those who have committed minor offences under house arrest.

Minister Rajapakshe noted that nearly 8,000 out of the 26,000 individuals imprisoned in all prisons across the country have thus far been found guilty.