Govt. seeks private sector support to rehabilitate prisoners

• Cabinet approval given for livelihood training by businesses under supervisions of Prisons Dept. 

The private sector is to partner in rehabilitating prisoners and support them to find employment under a new program that received Cabinet approval this week. The Cabinet paper, submitted by Justice, Human Resources and Legal Reforms Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, aims to get private sector assistance to rehabilitate remand prisoners, teach them new skills, and even provide them with employment so that they can leave behind a life of crime. 

The Cabinet approved the paper this week, according to a short statement released by the Government Information Department. “The proposal is for implementation of short- and long-term vocational training programs for remand prisoners under the supervision of the Prisons Department with the participation of the private sector. 

“The private sector will also support in awarding certificates and providing employment opportunities in private institutions for those who successfully complete these vocational training courses,” the statement said.