Eleven inmates died by suicide in prisons across the country last year, Prison Media Spokesperson Jagath Weerasinghe.
Most of the victims were middle-aged individuals, and the causes cited include mental illness, depression, drug addiction, and extreme frustration.
Weerasinghe also said that 169 prisoners died in custody during the same period due to various illnesses and medical complications.
In response to these alarming figures, the Department of Prisons stated that several programs are currently being implemented to improve the mental health and overall well-being of inmates.
