OVER 10,000 INMATES RELEASED TO REDUCE CONGESTION

COLOMBO (News 1st): Around 10,065 inmates have so far been released to reduce the congestion in prisons in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Ministry of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation said. 60 percent of the released inmates were charged with offences related to narcotics, Lohan Ratwatte, the State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation told News 1st on Saturday (Jan. 09) "Prior to being released, the inmates are tested for COVID-19 through PCR tests, and in the event, one tests positive for the virus, the inmate will be quarantined and treated for 14-days and released after testing negative for COVID-19 test," State Minister Ratwatte elaborated on the process of releasing inmates amidst COVID-19. According to the State Minister, in the event the PCR test returns negative, the inmate will be released to the family and is required to undergo home-quarantine for 14-days. "Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), Medical Officers of Health (MOH), and Police of the respective areas are informed on the matter to ensure, the inmates complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine period at their residences," Lohan Ratwatte, State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation further noted. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board meanwhile said that a special program is being implemented to rehabilitate drug addicts who are thus released (for more details).