Prison Unrest May Be Linked to Drug Crackdown, Says Dangerous Drugs Control Board
Prison Unrest May Be Linked to Drug Crackdown, Says Dangerous Drugs Control Board
The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) says the recent disturbances reported in several prisons across Sri Lanka may be linked to tighter restrictions on narcotics entering correctional facilities.
Deputy Director Pradeep Koholanegedara stated that the increased enforcement against drug smuggling into prisons appears to be a significant factor contributing to rising tensions and clashes among inmates.
Two Main Causes Behind Prison Disturbances
According to Koholanegedara, incidents of unrest inside prisons generally arise from two primary causes.
The first involves organised and coordinated confrontations among inmates, while the second is associated with drug withdrawal symptoms experienced by prisoners who have lost access to narcotics.
He explained that individuals with drug dependency often develop a strong physical and psychological reliance on narcotics. When access to these substances is abruptly cut off, inmates may experience severe withdrawal symptoms that can trigger agitation, aggression and disruptive behaviour.
Drug Withdrawal May Be Fueling Recent Incidents
Koholanegedara noted that recent prison disturbances appear to indicate that both organised criminal activity and drug-related factors may be contributing to the unrest.
He added that withdrawal symptoms caused by the reduced availability of narcotics can create volatile situations within correctional facilities, particularly among inmates with long-term substance addictions.
Longstanding Concerns Over Drugs in Prisons
The Deputy Director also highlighted a longstanding concern within Sri Lanka’s prison system, noting that some individuals with drug addiction have historically preferred imprisonment over rehabilitation programmes.
He said there have been instances where suspects opted to serve prison sentences rather than undergo rehabilitation, raising concerns about the past availability of narcotics inside correctional institutions.
Stricter Controls Showing Results
Despite the recent unrest, Koholanegedara said the developments could also be viewed as evidence that authorities are successfully preventing narcotics from entering prisons.
He emphasized that the emergence of drug withdrawal-related incidents may indicate that prison officials are effectively enforcing stricter controls, significantly reducing the availability of illegal drugs within correctional facilities.
Authorities continue to strengthen anti-narcotics measures as part of broader efforts to improve prison security and combat organised crime.
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