Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara says that 17,000 suspects connected to various crimes were remanded last year and then referred to community correction.
He stated that these individuals were kept outside prisons under supervision, adding that this measure was taken to prevent overcrowding in prisons.
The Justice Minister further noted that steps will be taken to increase the number referred to community correction this year.
He made these remarks in response to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s Kandy District MP Chamindrani Kiriella. (Newswire)