Prisons Must Become Schools of Transformation - Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Justice Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, revealed that the government is initiating a comprehensive prison system reform program aimed at transforming correctional facilities into centers of rehabilitation and second chances.

Minister Nanayakkara emphasized that the government's vision is to build a society rooted in justice, equality, and dignity, where the law is not merely a tool for punishment but a pathway to renewal.

“We believe the law should not only punish but also offer a new beginning,” he said, stressing that the prison system must evolve from being a place of confinement to a transformative school of life.

The Minister highlighted that a majority of inmates are individuals who dropped out of school after Grade 5 or 8, reflecting a systemic failure in education, community support, and economic opportunity.

“This is not just a statistic — it’s a mirror of our collective failure as a nation,” he added, pointing to the need for education-focused rehabilitation and social reintegration.