No parole for rowdy prison inmates

The Prisons Department has decided not to recommend any inmate, who engage in rooftop protests or behaves violently or disturbs the prison administration, for consideration for release under any pardon.

Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya said that good conduct is a basic requirement to be considered for an amnesty or a reduction of the prison sentence.

“We also look whether such inmates have undergone a rehabilitation process. It is the responsibility of inmates to fulfill those requirements, if they are to be eligible for amnesty,” he said.

The Commissioner General said that his Department in consultation with the Justice Ministry is finalizing the lists of those eligible for pardoning or reduction of prison sentence from among those serving death sentences, life imprisonment or long prison sentences.