3. Methodology 1. Research questions Two overarching research questions shape the scope of this study: i. To what extent has Sri Lanka implemented/adhered to national and international human rights standards pertaining to the treatment of prisoners and conditions of their detention? ii. What are the underlying legal, social, institutional and policy issues that impact the human rights of prisoners in Sri Lanka? 2. Sample Twenty institutions within the purview of the Department of Prisons (hereinafter referred to as DOP) were selected as the sample of institutions for this study. The highest populated remand prison in each province, the highest populated work camps within the prison system, and all open and closed prisons were selected, in an attempt to represent the national remandee to convicted proportion of 52%:48%. List of sample institutions: 1. Agunukolapelassa Closed Prison 2. Anuradhapura Remand Prison 3. Anuradhapura Open Prison Camp 4. Badulla Remand Prison 5. Batticaloa Remand Prison 6. Colombo Remand Prison 7. Galle Remand Prison 8. Homagama Work Camp 9. Jaffna Remand Prison 10. Kegalle Remand Prison 11. Kuruwita Remand Prison 12. Kuruwita Work Camp 13. Mahara Closed Prison 14. Negombo Remand Prison 15. New Magazine Remand Prison 16. Pallekele Closed Prison 17. Pallekele Open Prison Camp 18. Wariyapola Remand Prison 19. Weerawila Work Camp 20. Welikada Closed Prison 5