COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CORRECTIONS IN SRI LANKA

• NCJ Number: 45327
• Author(s): J P DELGODA
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 45TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR COURSE ON INCREASE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS, FEBRUARY 10-MARCH 28, 1977

Annotation

ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD OFFENDERS AND TO OBTAIN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN PRISON PROGRAMS IN SRI LANKA ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

PRISON ADMINISTRATORS IN SRI LANKA CONDUCTED A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AIMED AT INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT PRISON PROGRAMS AND PROMOTING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE PROGRAMS. THE PRESS WAS INVITED TO INSPECT THE PRISONS, AND STORIES ABOUT CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS WERE CARRIED ON THE RADIO AND IN NEWSPAPERS. PRISON ADMINISTRATORS ATTEND MEETINGS OF SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, PRESENTING INFORMATION ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE AND HANDICRAFTS PRODUCED BY INMATES ARE SOLD AND EXHIBITED. INMATES PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, SUCH AS ROAD BUILDING AND SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION. SUCH PROJECTS ARE SAID TO INSTILL A FEELING OF USEFULNESS IN THE PRISONERS AND TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE PRISONS. INMATES ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGNS, SUCH AS FOOD DRIVES, BLOOD DONATION, AND ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS. PARTICIPATION BY PRISONERS IN HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PRISONERS MAY BE TRUSTED. PRISONERS ALSO ORGANIZE AND PRESENT THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES FOR THE PUBLIC. A COOPERATIVE SOCIETY OF DISCHARGED CARPENTERS AND MASONS PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT FOR EX-OFFENDERS. THE CORRECTIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE PRISONERS' WELFARE ASSOCIATION HOLD SEMINARS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON PRISON REFORMS AND CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS. A PROGRAM OF VOLUNTARY SUPERVISION OF DISCHARGED OFFENDERS BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN INSTITUTED. -- LM