The National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB) has not opposed the Government’s proposed move to allow suspects arrested with less than 100 grams (g) of drugs to seek bail from High Courts (HCs), saying the measure could help ease severe prison overcrowding.
Informed sources at the NDDCB told The Daily Morning yesterday (21) that a large number of suspects arrested with relatively small quantities of drugs are being held in remand for long periods, adding to pressure on already overcrowded prisons.
The sources said prison officers had reported that 11 or 12 prisoners are sometimes kept in a single cell, with some having to stand due to a lack of space.
They said releasing suspects on bail while their cases continue could help address the problem, particularly as keeping people in remand for long periods also places an additional burden on the State.
The Government is preparing to amend the law to allow suspects arrested with less than 100 g of drugs to seek bail from HCs. Justice Minister, Attorney Harshana Nanayakkara said the proposed change was prompted by delays in obtaining Government Analyst reports, which had resulted in suspects remaining in remand for long periods.
Meanwhile, NDDCB sources said it was difficult to determine whether people released on bail would be more likely to reoffend. They noted that release on bail did not mean that a case would end, as suspects would still have to appear before court, while those committing another offence could be arrested again.
However, the sources pointed out that there is currently no specific mechanism to provide rehabilitation to people released on bail.
They said NDDCB rehabilitation centres generally receive people following a court order, including orders by Magistrates to refer them for rehabilitation for a specified period. People could also seek rehabilitation voluntarily.
However, the sources said there needed to be a proper mechanism to refer people released on bail to rehabilitation services while ensuring that they continue to appear in court. Such a mechanism had not yet been identified, they said.