Political Point-Scoring at the Expense of Prison Conditions

It is disheartening to see some individuals rejoicing over the imprisonment of two former ministers, purely for political purposes. Their crime? Distributing carrom and draughts boards to their supporters using public funds—a questionable act, but hardly deserving of national mockery.  

In the process of celebrating their downfall, critics have inadvertently drawn attention to the appalling conditions within our prison system. Reports that inmates wear jump suits, sleep on mats on the floor and eat from tin plates have revealed a squalid reality that tarnishes the country’s image. This issue came into sharper focus when a British woman, remanded for a drug offence, publicly protested the deplorable conditions she experienced. Her complaint has already attracted attention in the UK and may soon spark wider international concern.

Those who are quick to vilify prisoners should consider the old saying: “What happens if you look up and spit?” In other words, in seeking to degrade others, we may end up disgracing ourselves.

If this trend continues, it risks escalating into a serious human rights issue that could draw the attention of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Instead of using incarceration as political ammunition, we should be reflecting on the state of our justice system and the dignity of all people, even those behind bars.

Upali Weerasinghe