A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Prisons Department and the Industrial Development Board at the Ministry of Justice this morning (12) to establish industries in all prisons, with the aim of making inmates more productive in society after their release from prison.
In the presence of the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, President’s Attorney Counsel, Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksha, Commissioner General of Prisons, Thushara Upuldeniya and Chairman of the Industrial Development Board, Saranga Alahapperuma signed the relevant agreement.
Through the Memorandum of Understanding, the entrepreneurs and industrialists of this country will have more opportunities to establish industries in all the prisons and the Industrial Development Board and the Prisons Department will offer certificates to the inmates who are trained in the industries.
Through this, the prisoners spend their time serving their punishment more meaningfully, use their prison time for development activities, and give the prisoners the opportunity to carry out their own industries after being released from prison.
Commenting after the signing of the MoU, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya said:
This will give more strength to the industrial work currently being done by the inmates in the prisons. Currently, about eleven thousand inmates are in prison. About five thousand of them are currently engaged in various industries. By signing the new agreement, the remaining six thousand can be used for industrial activities
Through this, as well as the incarcerated person, the country also gets a big advantage. During the time the inmates are in prison, this will enable them to earn some money for the government’s expenses on their behalf.
Also, even after being released from prison, they can become a useful person in the society by working in the industry for which they have been trained. The main purpose of this is to make the time spent in prison meaningful. The Commissioner General said that they will also provide certificates for the workers who are engaged in industrial activities introduced by the Industrial Development Board.
Chairman of the Industrial Development Board, Saranga Alahapperuma said:
The main purpose of signing this MoU is to make the inmates a productive person for the country and the society.
Entrepreneurs and industrialists are invited to set up industries in the prison premises. The Honorable Minister of Justice and the Minister of Industry have given necessary instructions for this. To get out of poverty, you need to be economically strong. The chairman also mentioned that this is a good opportunity for the inmates who are imprisoned due to various reasons to strengthen themselves as a person full of talent.
Ministry of Justice Secretary M.N. Mr. Ranasinghe and other senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, Industrial Development Board and Prisons Department attended the event.
