Muttur Magistrate visits prison, addresses prisoners rights

[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 February 2006, 13:45 GMT]
Mr.Manickavasagar Ganesharajah, Muttur Magistrate Thursday paid a surprise visit to Trincomalee prison and inquired from the prison authorities about the grievances of suspects in remand and the facilities provided to them to communicate with their relatives. The Magistrate then inspected section where underage boys and those committed minor offences are kept, legal sources said

He advised prisoners who are serving jail term for committing minor offences could seek the assistance of Community Correction Unit and those in remand for mere suspicion and also without any contact with their parents could seek the assistance of the Trincomalee Legal Aid Centre, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and UNICEF for their release, legal sources said.

He inquired from several suspects in remand whether they are provided with medical facilities when fall sick and advised them that they are legally entitled to bring their difficulties and grievances without fear seeking redress. He said a judicial officer is legally bound to visit the prison under his jurisdiction once in a month and to see the condition of the suspects, legal sources said.

Mr.Ganesharajah said he was satisfied with the maintenance of the prisoners by prison authorities and the environment where suspects are detained. He inspected the library in the prison, legal sources said.

Suspects in minor offences and those serving jail sentence in such cases are detained in Trincomalee prison. Those who are connected with major crimes and those sentenced for such crimes are taken to Anuradhapura prison, legal sources said.