Mar 18, Colombo: Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that a law is being drafted to keep detainees under house arrest instead of incarceration.

The Minister said the relevant draft is currently being prepared, and that this law will be introduced with the aim of reducing prison overcrowding and the emergence of serious criminals.

He noted that the people who go to jail for minor offenses get misguided by associating with serious criminals after being incarcerated and become hardened criminals.

In order to control this situation, in accordance with international rules, the convicts will be placed under house arrest under full supervision and bond under the custody of their next of kin or some other person at the discretion of the court, the minister pointed out.