Creating unblemished citizens to reduce congestion in prisons

By Janoor Kitchilan   

The Department of Community Based Probation of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration has implemented a plan under the concept of to the barest minimum, to save the expenditure of Rs.1544 per day which amounts to Rs. 555, 840 per annum on maintaining a prisoner, and to work out programmes for minor offenders sentenced to community activities.
The Department said 1376 prisoners in 2024, and 908 by May this year have been referred to this programme from 16 Magistrate’s courts in the North Western Province to make them fair citizens free of offence through medical examinations, vocational training, counselling, supervision and follow up action.   
Community Probation Officer Attorney at Law Lasanthi Marasighe said with this in view the department launched a religious programme on June 18, to promote spirituality of the prisoners, which included Buddha Poojas, preaching of sermons, alms giving at the historic Maligawa Premises in Kurunegala. It was organized under the Community Probation Office of Kurunegala magistrate’s court under the supervisor of the Kurunegala magistrate. It coincides with the Poson celebrations.