• Magisterial inquiry completed as investigations widen
• 104 inmates transferred to seven prisons; injured treated in Ragama
• Visits suspended for three days as Rs 150m damage is assessed

Forensic officials conducted inspections yesterday (3) in connection with the recent unrest at the Mahara Prison, while a Magisterial inquiry into the incident was held on 2 August.

The Prisons Department said 104 inmates were transferred to other prisons following the unrest that erupted at the facility on 1 August. The inmates were transferred to the Dumbara, Welikada, Boossa, Kalutara, Badulla, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa Prisons.

The unrest claimed the life of one inmate, while 10 others sustained injuries. A spokesperson for the Colombo North Teaching Hospital said the injured inmates are currently receiving treatment at the Ragama hospital.

During the incident, inmates caused extensive damage to prison buildings and other property, with the estimated losses exceeding Rs 150 million. The Department has suspended inmate visits for three days from yesterday to facilitate repair work at the prison.

Several investigations have now been launched by multiple authorities into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection held discussions on formulating a systematic programme to reduce prison overcrowding and inmate density.

The discussion took place when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Government Parliamentarian Dr Najith Indika. The Committee reviewed key measures being implemented by the Government to address overcrowding, including 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 facilities, expediting judicial proceedings and promoting community corrections.

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

Justice Ministry officials informed the Committee that steps were being taken to establish the required technological infrastructure to facilitate house arrest as an alternative to remanding accused persons in prisons.

The Committee also discussed improving the bail system, reducing delays in court proceedings, encouraging alternative sentencing for minor offences, modernising prison management, recruiting additional prison officers to address staff shortages, strengthening prison security and rehabilitation programmes, and promoting community service and other alternatives to imprisonment for minor drug-related offences and petty crimes.

The welfare of female inmates and children under five residing with them in prisons was also discussed. Particular attention was paid to arrangements for children after they reach the age of five, including the possibility of placing them under the care of the Probation and Child Care Services Department.

The Committee further considered rehabilitation programmes for persons suffering from drug addiction, community correction initiatives, and measures to address cases where individuals remain in remand custody solely due to their inability to afford bail.

Before preparing its final report, the Committee agreed to meet prison officers to obtain their views and conduct observation visits to several prisons to gain first-hand insight into prevailing conditions.