Negombo prison deaths renew focus on overcrowding crisis

A deadly clash at Negombo Prison that has claimed more than 25 lives has once again drawn attention to Sri Lanka’s chronic prison overcrowding problem. According to the Department of Prisons, facilities built to accommodate around 30,000 inmates are currently holding nearly 40,000 prisoners. The issue has also been highlighted in a recent submission made to the United Nations by a rights group, which alleges that Sri Lanka’s prison population exceeds the official capacity by 286.6%, with some prisons operating at more than 300% occupancy. The submission further claims that some inmates are confined to as little as 1.2 square metres of personal space, well below international standards. It also alleges that severe overcrowding has forced some prisoners to sleep in shifts or even beside toilets due to the lack of available space. The conditions have come under renewed scrutiny following the deadly violence at Negombo Prison, raising fresh concerns over the state of Sri Lanka’s prison system. (Newswire)