• Disciplinary action promised against officers who violate rules
• Body scanners to be installed in all prisons by 2027
• Inmates hiding contrabands inside their bodies to be medically checked

Prison officers are not permitted to carry out invasive body searches of inmates, and disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found violating the rules, the Prisons Department said, as authorities move towards expanding the use of body scanners across the country’s prison system.

The move follows a recommendation by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to introduce body-scanning technology to reduce invasive body-search practices and protect the dignity and bodily integrity of prison inmates.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson Senaka Pallethenna said that while prison officers are permitted to conduct ordinary body searches, as has been the practice in the past, they cannot carry out invasive searches of inmates.

“Prison officers can conduct body searches. In the past, there was no issue with that. However, if an officer suspects that a prisoner is concealing something inside their body, they can’t conduct an invasive body search. The prisoner has to be referred to a medical officer. If someone conducts invasive body searches, we will take disciplinary action against them,” he said.

He further said the need for technological screening methods has become increasingly pressing as inmates have become more sophisticated in concealing drugs and mobile phones inside their bodies.

“Now, prisoners take drugs and mobile phones inside their bodies. Prisoners have become more tactical,” he said, adding that the Department is moving towards replacing physical searches with body-scanning technology.

“Body scanners are currently available at three prisons, with four more expected to be received by October. By 2027, we will install body scanners in all prisons. Tenders have already been called for it.”

Pallethenna’s remarks come after the HRCSL recently emphasised the need to introduce body scanners to reduce invasive body-search practices and safeguard the dignity and bodily integrity of prison inmates.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting convened by the HRCSL following violent incidents at the Negombo Prison on 5 and 6 July and several other prisons.

The meeting brought together the Secretaries to the Ministries of Defence, Justice and Public Security, senior Police officers, the Acting Prisons Commissioner General (CG) and several Prisons Commissioners.

The HRCSL called for body scanners to reduce invasive body searches and safeguard the dignity and bodily integrity of detainees. The Acting Prisons CG subsequently assured the HRCSL that measures are being taken to procure additional equipment.