10. Work party assignment After the above-mentioned procedures are completed, new inmates are presented to the SP, who then assigns a work party in the case of convicted inmates. Section 649 of the DSO bestows the power on the SP to assign prisoners to work parties.83 Depending on the party assigned, the inmate is sent to the transfer branch to be transferred to the relevant work section.84 11. Orientation upon admission SMR 5485 provides that upon admission every prisoner must be provided with written information, such as the prison law86. The Rule further provides that the prison administration should prominently display summaries of information in common areas of the prison. Section 9 of the SRs provides that one of the duties of the Commissioner is to provide a brief summary or abstract of general information to prisoners.87 Moreover, copies of such abstracts in English, Sinhalese and Tamil, signed by the Commissioner, must be hung in conspicuous places to which prisoners have ready access. It is also stated in Section 93 of the same that it is the duty of the Jailor ‘to read to all prisoners on admission in their own language the abstract of rules relating to prisoners.’ It was noted that the Welfare Division of each prison organizes an orientation programme for new inmates with the content varying from prison to prison. According to Circular No. 628 dated 27 May 1974, issued by the Prison Headquarters, new entrants must be informed during the orientation programme of the manner in which inmates are expected to behave in prison and the manner in which they must adapt to prison life and adhere to the rules and regulations by which prisons are governed. Information regarding educational and sports facilities available in the prison, facilities available for religious worship, the opportunity to see visitors, and other programmes available for prisoners are also supposed to be provided 83 DSO 1956, s 649. For a detailed discussion, please refer chapter Prison Work. 85 SMR 2015, r 54, ‘Upon admission every prisoner shall be promptly provided with written information about (a) The prison law and applicable prison regulations (b) his/her rights, including authorized methods of seeking information, access to legal advice, including through legal aid schemes and procedures for making requests or complaints (c) his/her obligations including applicable disciplinary sanctions; and (d) all other matters necessary to enable the prisoner to adapt himself/herself to the life of the prison.’ 86 ibid r 55, ‘the information referred to in rule 54 shall be available in the most commonly used languages in accordance with the needs of the prison population. If a prisoner doesn’t understand any of those languages, interpretation assistance should be provided.’ 87 The information shall include a written summary of prison offences, punishments and rules relating to the classification, privileges, remission of sentence of prisoners and the complaint making mechanism. Copies of it are required to be displayed in corridors in all three languages. 84 65