History

The Welikada prison is the largest among the prison institutions in Sri Lanka. It came into existence in 1841 pursuant to reforms initiated by the British Governor Cameron at the time when Sri Lanka was a colony under the British rule.

The penal system as was espoused then entailed rigorous measures such as stone crushing. pounding of coconut husks etc and was supplemented by the punishment of carrying a pingo load of sand by Act-no of 1887. The Sinhala version of pingo load of sand is Welikada and the Jail where the penalty was imposed came to be known as Wekikada and the section where it was practiced was called Pingo Branch. Today the Branch comprises several work camps where the inmates receive vocational training.

Buildings

The land area of the Prison is 48 acres in extent of which the prison buildings occupy about 15 acres. Its main building structured in the form of a cross and is known as a result as the chapel. The building is over-crowded with about 1700 detainees exceeding the actual member that could be accommodated. In the 4 buildings on ground floor A3, B3,C3 and D3 are detained special category prisoners and condemned prisoners. The gallows too occupy the area.

In addition the 3 floors constituting the Hall L in the old building serve as the Remand Prison meant for 242 detainees but how nearly 475 are detained. Appellant prisoners accommodated in the 3 storied ward H while inmates in the age group 18-24 are housed in the Y building. Buildings A to T designed for 1200 detainees are heaped up with 3900 at the moment.

The Female ward attached to the Welikada Prison which accommodates 390 women prisoners and suspects is provided with facilities for expectant mothers and mothers with children. It also has a nursery school, 5 hostels, a reserve for patients and places of worship for all denominations. Programs on weaving, handicrafts, educational, spiritual and vocational training are also made accessible to the inmates.

A hospital too has been provided where residential therapy in available for prisoners in Colombo Prisons under the management of MBBS doctors, Assistant Medical Practitioners and Dental surgeon whose services have been secured by the Health Service Dept. Services of nurses, dispensers and laboratory technicians too have been procured. Equipped with 5 wards, a laboratory and a dental clinic the hospital also has separate wards for mentally defective patients and patients with contagious diseases. Facilities for residential treatment are available. Medical officers and staff are provided with official quarters.

Mission

i. To ensure safe detention for prisoners

ii. To ensure their protection

iii. To launch rehabilitation of prisoners

Core Functions

i. Detention of prisoners on first conviction

ii. Categorizing of convicted prisoners on admission and transferring them to relevant prisons.

iii. Detention of condemned prisoners.

iv. Production of suspects to Kesbewa and Moratuwa courts

v. Provision of vocational training to prisoners

vi. Launching of welfare and rehabilitation programs for prisoners.

Staff

Approved cadre and the present strength

Post Approved cadre Present strength

Superintendent of Prisons 02 02

Asst. Superintendent of Prisons 01 01

Chief Jailor 01 -

Jailor Class I 03 02

Senior welfare officer 01 01

Jailor Class II 25 26

Welfare officer class II 03 03

Nurse 12 02

Laboratory Technician 01 01

Storekeeper 06 01

Prison overseer 36 36

Prison Guard 410 321

Shroff 01 01

Motor Driver 03 13

Tractor Driver - 01

Dispenser (male) 15 06

Water Pump operator - 01

Office Labourer - 01

Female Jailor 01 02

Female Overseer 05 02

Female Guard 58 66

Dispenser (female) 06 -

Casual Guard - 45

Casual Guard (Female) - 17

Head office Branches

(a) Staff clerical Branch

The Branch functions under the supervision of the chief Jailor. Maintenance of personal files of officers and attendance register matters pertaining to increments and leave and deployment of officers on routine field service are its responsibilities.

(b) Accounts Branch

Deals with officers' salaries and other payments and the cost of maintenance of the institution. Approximately the monthly imprest totals to 20 million.

Registration of prisoners/ suspects, their transfers, release and production in courts.

(d) Diet Rolls Branch

Procurement of food from contractors and other institutions for prisoners and preparation of vouchers for payment thereof.

(e) Welfare Branch

Operation of the scheme of release of prisoners on home leave licenses, engagement on work relief service, preparation of social reports, prisoners consultancy service, and organization and maintenance of sports, welfare and benevolent schemes.

(f) Disciplinary Branch

Matters pertaining to discipline of officers and prisoners, visits by relatives of inmates maintenance of files, quarterly reports of review and other petitions and requests by inmates.

(g) Equipment store

Supply of uniforms and other equipment for officers and inmates, maintenance of buildings and vehicles. Storage and supply of dry rations and other goods needed by the prison.

Services to prisoners.

(01) Residential educational services

(a) Literacy classes

Literacy classes are conducted by a teacher form the Education Dept. for illiterate inmates. These classes held thrice a week are attended by 60 inmates.

(b) English classes are conducted by voluntary teachers thrice a week.

(02) Religious Activities

Places of worship exist within the promises for the benefit of Buddhist, Catholic, Islam and Hindu inmates.

(a) About 150 inmates participate in the Vipassana meditation program sponsored by Sarvodaya a non government organization extending over 3 days a month.

(b) Abhidamma Classes – Nearly 30 inmate students follow these classes where teaching is done by a Buddhist monk. Dhamma school are conducted on Sundays for the benefit of Buddhist and Catholic inmates.

(d) Under the Dhamma education program classes are conducted twice a week and the participants numbering about 80 have achieved notable success at the examinations.

(e) Catholic, Islam and Hindu religious observances and services are conducted 4 days a week by the relevant clergy.

(03) Sports Activities

Volleyball, Cricket, Badminton indoor games facilities are provided and regular competitions are held among inmates.

(04) Library Facilities

The facility of a library has been provided for the inmates and arrangements have been made for them to have access to the daily newspapers, TV and radio Programs.

(05) Cultural activities

(a) An upcountry dancing troupe of inmate artistes has been performing since 1973 and has earned a notable income by participating in ceremonial occasions part of which is contributed to the welfare fund and the balance is divided among the troupe members.

(b) Cultural upliftment of inmates is sustained by giving them the opportunity to stage dramas, musical shows and new year festivals on the open platform provided for the purpose.

Employment of prisoners on Work Release Scheme

(Qualifications and objectives are stated under Headquarters Information)

The number of inmates employed on daily – pay basis at state and state sponsored institutions is 106.

The earnings of inmates in 2002 totaled at Rs. 2075116.00.

The institution where inmates have been engaged on daily basis :

i. Bandaranayike Memorial International Conference Hall.

ii. Ministry of Higher Education

iii. Nara Institute

iv. Museum Dept.

v. Art Gallery.

vi. Printing Dept.

vii. Printing Corporation

Home Leave Scheme

(Qualifications and objectives are stated under Headquarters Information)

The number of prisoners allowed Home Leave by this institution during 2002 was 95.

The number in default of violation of terms was 01.

Release on License scheme

(Qualifications and objectives are stated under Headquarters Information)

The number released by the institution during 2002 on License Scheme was 26.

Number in default of violation of terms was 01.

Consultancy Services

Consultancy services provided to the inmates are maintained by the Consultancy Services Officers of the Poor Relief Dept. Who attend thrice a week for the purpose.

Rehabilitation of Drug addicts.

(a) Treatment and rehabilitation program for drug addict suspects of the prison is implemented by the prison hospital and 30 suspects are admitted at a time. The rehabilitation process is sustained by the community treatment system and new concepts under the supervision of the trained Prison officers in collaboration with the external social Resources Procedure.

(b) This institution refers inmates to the Rehabilitation centers of the Department of Prison when they qualify for rehabilitation in terms of court orders and circulars of the Prisons Department.

Contribution by Government and Non Governmental Organization

Non Governmental Organizations

i. Prisoners' Welfare Association

ii. Sarvodaya movement

iii. All Ceylon Buddhist Ladies congress

iv. The Internation

Government Organizations

i. National Board for Dangerous Drugs Control

(Training of prison officers for rehabilitation of drug addicts.)

ii. Poor Relief Services Department

(Consultory Services)

iii. Samurdhi authority

(Provision of educational facilities and samurdhi assistance to the children of prisoners)

iv. Health Education Unit

(Organization of Health Education Programs)

v. Education Department

(Conduct of literacy classes for inmates and presenting them for competitive examinations)

Medical Facilities

Sick inmates are treated at the prison hospital and for special treatment they are referred to the national hospital while they are hospitalized depending on the condition of the disease. Indigenous medical treatment is also made available.

Buildup of external relations

1. Permission to see relatives and visitors.

i. Prisoners committed to prison are allowed to meet relatives once a month except on Sundays

ii. Suspects are allowed to meet visitors and relatives on weekdays except Sundays and accept food and sanitary items.

iii. Appellant prisoners are allowed to meet relatives once a week.

iv. Condemned prisoners are allowed to meet relatives once a week and those given dates for execution are allowed to meet relatives daily.

iv. Inmates except those coming under ii above are permitted to accept sanitary materials but not food items.

2. Prisoners are permitted to send one letter a month to outsiders. Letters are issued as per needs of suspects. Prisoners/ suspects are allowed to receive any number of letters from outsiders.

Outgoing or incoming letters are intercepted before disposal

3. Access to Legal aid.

Members of the Legal Aid Commission visit prisons once a month to offer legal aid to the inmates.

In addition Non Governmental Organizations to provide legal assistance to inmates.

4. Resource Contributors to the prisoner's welfare and rehabilitation mechanism.

i. I.C.R.C International Committee of the Red Cross.

ii. Prisoners' Welfare Association

iii. National Board of Control for Dangerous Drugs.

iv. All Ceylon Buddhist Ladies Congress

v. UNESCO National Council

vi. National Youth Services Council

vii. Human Rights organization, Legal Aid Commission, Lions club, Soroptimist International, Buddhist, Catholic, Islam organizations.

viii. Private resources

Officers' Welfare Activities

Mutual assistance society

This society has been established with the objective of providing death donations in the case of death of a family member of an officer.

Sports and Welfare Association

The aims of the Association are to promote sports and welfare targets for officers.

Buddhist and Catholic Societies too have been formed to conduct special religious functions.