The prison authorities also face the problem of accommodating persons sent to prisons for their inability to pay the fines imposed for minor offences and those failing to furnish bail ordered by courts. It has been found that the cost of accommodating these prisoners far exceeds the sum expected to be collected as fines from these persons. Discriminatory treatment in prisons also has assumed scandalous proportions.
by Milinda Rajasekera
(August 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Most media reports about Sri Lanka’s prisons today cause much concern while some items of news give the public some satisfaction. To begin with the bright side, a recent report said that many benefits have accrued to the country as a result of prisoners engaging themselves in productive work. According to this report convicted prisoners get training in agriculture, bakery work, carpentry, handicraft and other such activities.
It is also said in the report that there is a big demand for what the prisoners produce. The furniture they make and bakery items they produce, for instance, are snapped up by users and consumers because of their high standards and low prices. This progressive move has resulted in reducing state expenditure on prisoners, while providing the prisoners with skills and education in various technical and other fields of activity. This training undoubtedly serves the purpose of preparing reformed prisoners for entering civil society as useful and responsible citizens. This development indeed is encouraging and those responsible for actively promoting these activities deserve the highest public appreciation.
But, what about the dark side of prison conditions? The miasma that emanates from this side is so disgusting that it leaves the public with a repulsive effect. Apart from overcrowding which is said to be 400 percent, the reported goings-on within prison walls lend credence to the public perception that our prisons no longer serve as places of correction, reform and rehabilitation, but as places which breed crime, corruption, fraud and all other social evils that are sought to be eradicated from society by putting persons found guilty of such offences behind bars.
It is not from biased and prejudiced critics that reports about the parlous conditions prevailing in prisons come, but from official sources. Minister of Prison Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, Chandrasiri Gajadeera himself had to concede that corruption is rife inside the prison system. He has been genned up on these matters by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) that the Ministry had set up to look into malpractices and irregularities in the prison system. He has said that officials of the prison headquarters and several other prisons were among those accused of corruption and other irregularities. He vows to take disciplinary action against those found guilty after conducting inquiries.
Meanwhile, media keep the public informed of various types of people behind prison walls. Of the 32,000 prison inmates, 13,000 (40.6 percent) are said to be those imprisoned for drug related offences. Generally, it is from the low income and less educated classes that most offenders hail. However, there are 46 graduates among prisoners, according to these reports. Above all, the seriousness of the problem of drug addiction demands greater attention. Reports also show that some of these drug addicts continue their habits even while in prison where they are sent for rehabilitation. They are allegedly helped by jail guards and visitors who manage to smuggle drugs in.
What has turned out to be a frightening development is the existence of a ransom demanding gang operating from the prisons, in addition to inmates from the underworld who are reported to be influencing and threatening witnesses in court cases and organizing criminal activities. This ransom extortion gang is reported to be demanding money from shop owners and other business people. It is not difficult to imagine the successful operation of these gangs because there are enough criminal elements outside the prison walls to assist them.
Reports say that there are about five lakhs of ex-prisoners at large in the country. About 40,000 among them are said to be IRCs (Island Reconvicted Criminals). So it is quite possible that this fraternity who had been ‘reformed’ is lending their expertise to carry out these operations. There are also those against whom warrants have been issued by courts but not proceeded with. This shows that there are many who should be behind bars but are allowed to remain unharmed.
The prison authorities also face the problem of accommodating persons sent to prisons for their inability to pay the fines imposed for minor offences and those failing to furnish bail ordered by courts. It has been found that the cost of accommodating these prisoners far exceeds the sum expected to be collected as fines from these persons. Discriminatory treatment in prisons also has assumed scandalous proportions. It is often observed that those with high connections get favoured treatment. These worthies, as a rule feign illness as they enter prison and are then warded in hospitals where they enjoy better conditions. The case of former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka who gets comparatively better facilities is different. He is indeed a special prisoner whose offences are political and who is considered a war hero by the people of this country. What is contemptible is that certain underworld activists get preferential treatment in the prison.
The conditions under which female prisoners are accommodated are reported to be most deplorable. There are 650 inmates in a ward built for 150 persons; 75 female inmates are forced to share two bathrooms; of the ten bathrooms available for the prisoners, most are in shocking states of disrepair; women sleep with buckets beside them, which they use as toilets during the night; no beds, mats or pillows, according to media reports.
The prisons, in any event, should not be places with full of comforts for inmates, but what is required is that these unfortunate people should be treated as human beings who have the potential for being reformed and released to society as responsible citizens.
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