House Arrest system proposed to alleviate Prison congestion

11 August 2023 02:51 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6

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In response to the dire issue of prison overcrowding, the government is in the process of formulating laws to introduce a house arrest procedure, as revealed during a session in Parliament.

State Minister of Justice and Prisons, Anuradha Jayaratne, addressed concerns about prison congestion during discussions prompted by MP Imran Maharoof.

Minister Jayaratne disclosed that while the maximum capacity of Sri Lankan prisons is 13,000 inmates, the current population stands at a staggering 29,000. As a strategic response, the government is actively considering the implementation of a house arrest system to alleviate the pressure on penitentiaries.

He elaborated, "We have taken steps to activate the Release of Remand Act No 08 of 1991. This legislation outlines the release of individuals accused of specific offences and held in detention under remand warrants."

Moreover, Minister Jayaratne indicated the establishment of a committee tasked with formulating recommendations for a mechanism to grant special pardons through a thorough review process. This approach aims to address the overcrowding crisis while ensuring fairness and justice.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 6

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 11 August 2023 03:03 PM

What a stupid idea. This is like monkeys trying to become civilized. We have Police who are corrupt, incompetent and criminal. Further they are unable to solve even basic criminal activities. With this we want to have house arrest without understanding why so much of criminality is happening making our prisons so congested.

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Nirmal Friday, 11 August 2023 03:42 PM

its a good way for police to make some bucks.

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Bernard Jayatilake Friday, 11 August 2023 08:54 PM

Any leniency for prison inmates would ultimately trigger upscale in convicted cases expecting house arrest or pardoning. .

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Unruly nation! Friday, 11 August 2023 10:23 PM

Who will supervise House Arrest? Police? Prison Guard at residence? Family Members? Gm Battas? Are we on the verge of becoming an unruly nation?

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Dealdasa Saturday, 12 August 2023 11:08 AM

There's accommodation in Prisons for only 13,000 whereas the number of prisoners is 29,000. In terms of the new proposal the excess prisoners will be accommodated in homes as " house arrest" ? In other words there will be 19,000 minor Prisons throughout the country .

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Tissa Fernando Saturday, 12 August 2023 06:49 PM

This will be heavily misused as bribes will be taken to place a criminal under house arrest. In the prisons, the majority are there for petty issues . Release them and only keep the hard core criminals in the prisons.

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