Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte stated that during the period from 01 until 20 December, 8,300 inmates were released from Prisons.

He added that more inmates will be released following the four-year review which is set to be published in the near future.

The review expects to reduce the death sentences issued by Courts to life sentences.

Explaining further, the State Minister said that depending on good behavior and other cases, the sentences of inmates serving life would be reduced by 20 years, while some others would be released on good conduct.

The subject minister also noted that the four-year review was not published for about 20 years.

Furthermore, he also spoke of the directives issued regarding employing 500 retired soldiers into the Prison system, while further 1,400 in the future

He made these comments while addressing the media.