Drug Withdrawal and Organised Networks Behind Prison Violence, Says Expert

COLOMBO (News 1st); The recent disturbances reported in several prisons may be linked to stricter controls on narcotics entering correctional facilities, according to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

Deputy Director of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Pradeep Koholanegedara, said increasing restrictions on the flow of drugs into prisons appears to be one of the key factors contributing to tensions and clashes among inmates.

Koholanegedara explained that prison-related conflicts generally emerge from two distinct causes. One category involves organised and coordinated confrontations, while the other is directly connected to inmates experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms after losing access to narcotics.

According to him, drug dependency creates a powerful physical and psychological need for continuous consumption. When access to drugs is suddenly restricted, addicts often experience severe withdrawal symptoms that can result in agitation, aggression and disruptive behaviour.

He noted that recent incidents suggest both organised elements and drug-related factors may be contributing to prison unrest.

Koholanegedara also pointed to a longstanding pattern within the prison system, noting that some individuals with drug addiction issues prefer imprisonment rather than entering rehabilitation programmes. He said there have been instances where suspects have opted for prison sentences instead of being referred to rehabilitation centres, raising questions about the availability of narcotics within prisons in the past.

However, he emphasized that the current situation also reflects the effectiveness of measures now being taken to prevent drugs from entering correctional facilities.

According to the Deputy Director, the fact that drug-related unrest is surfacing may indicate that prison authorities are successfully enforcing stricter controls and significantly limiting the availability of narcotics inside prisons.