Prisons should be schools of transformation: Justice Minister

6 November 2025 11:58 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Nov. 6 (Daily Mirror) - Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that prisons should no longer be seen as places of punishment, but as schools of transformation that offer inmates a second chance at life.

He said the government’s aim is to reform the prison system to focus on rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, rather than punishment. “When implementing the law, it should not be done as a form of retribution but as a means of providing a new beginning,” the Minister said, noting that restructuring the prison system is a key priority of the government.

Minister Nanayakkara made these remarks while attending the passing-out ceremony of 177 prison officers and officers of the 104-B Apprentice Training Unit who joined the Prisons Department, held at the Angunakolapelessa Prison, where he was the chief guest.

Outlining the government’s prison reform agenda, he said efforts are underway to reduce overcrowding, introduce vocational training and recognized certification programs for inmates, and strengthen mental health and counseling services to help rehabilitate prisoners.

He further pledged to eliminate corruption and drugs from the prison system under the proposed reform program, adding that the success of prison officers will be measured not by how many prisoners they control, but by how many lives they help transform for the better.

Comments - 8

Lankan Thursday, 06 November 2025 12:55 PM

Good thinking in the right direction, but practical implementation to rehabilitate prisoners isn't easy in short term.

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Jail Bird Thursday, 06 November 2025 12:57 PM

Stupid statement..... Those who go in, come out worse than they went....that's our prison system.

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Lanka Thursday, 06 November 2025 01:26 PM

Thank you for this wording : school of transformation: that is exactly what we need : people are by nature bound to make some mistakes in life and that is part of life and we all are not angel or superhuman or saints we all make mistakes in life willingly or unwillingly or coincidental or others for many reason: no point : Make use of human productivity and don’t waste Human Resources Educate them Train them Teach them new skills Make them useful people All humans are born with human dignity and respect Don’t belittle them Do not look down them Do not treat them as criminals of life time Explain them why laws out there and what they did was wrong and make them have remorse for what happened in the past Don’t let them to live in the past Make them productive to our economy and for them as well : Teach judges about this Some are rude and don’t know all this and they live in their literal world of laws and they do read the rationale of law or purpose of law

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Dinesh Thursday, 06 November 2025 07:51 PM

A good thought but in reality someone who goes in for a few years endsup meeting all the underworld characters and comes out with connections to the underworld. Also his initial fear of been imprisoned or going to jail has faded. Some actually prefer being inside since all meals are guaranteed. It won't be a easy task to get them out rehabilitated. No one will want to employ a X prisoner.

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Yohan Thursday, 06 November 2025 03:16 PM

True. Start with the current laws itself. Always try to fine and release accused where possible unless it is a murder or drug business related offence. Just putting people behind bars will not solve the current crisis. So good start minister.

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Lalith de Kauwe Thursday, 06 November 2025 04:13 PM

To err is human, to forgive divine. Education and rehabilitation is much better than retributory punishment.

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P. Appuhamy Thursday, 06 November 2025 05:18 PM

I find it difficult to identify even a single country that has reformed most of their prisoners. Besides, we have to admit that our society is indisciplined and the share of bad eggs are relatively high. So, though the thought of the good minister is Nobel, it's wishful thinking and a bit naive.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 06 November 2025 06:13 PM

In theory it is correct. In some countries the prison is branded as Correctional Unit. Transformation is only after Correction.

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