Steps will be taken to release close to 5000 inmates before 31st December 2020, and a mechanism is in place to release inmates who are imprisoned for minor offences, Lohan Ratwatta, the State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation said on Saturday (Dec. 12).

“There exists a severe issue of congestion at prisons, where there are 29 prisons and two rehabilitation centres in the country that can accommodate only about 11,000 inmates. However, at present, there are 25,000 inmates detained at prison complexes,” State Minister Lohan Ratwatta told News 1st.

According to the Minister, at the time he assumed duties there were around 28,000 inmates and it was reduced by about 3000, upon releasing inmates who were arrested on charges related to minor offences and failed to settle the fines or sign for bail.

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/12/12/5000-inmates-to-be-released-before-31st-december-2020/