An open air jail system would soon be implemented in Haryana under which a jail inmate would be allowed to work in any factory or agriculture farm with prior permission of the Jail Superintendent. The inmate would return to the jail in the evening.
Under this project, a campus having facility of quarters would be developed outside the jail where inmates could live with their families, said Krishan lal Panwar, Haryana Jail, Housing and Transport Minister.
Apart from this, a scheme to install jammers is being put into practice to prevent criminal activities in jails. A joint inspection of jails along with officials of Police Department, is also being carried out, said Panwar while interacting with mediapersons after inaugurating ‘Haryana Jail Utpad Pardarshani Kendra’ at Panchkula, near here.
Talking about various issues concerning improving jails and the welfare of staff, Panwar said a meeting would soon be held with Chief Minister Manohar lal, to discuss such issues.
He said the State Government was taking concrete steps to improve the jails and it had been decided to engage 400 ex-servicemen as jail wardens.
Honorarium ranging from Rs 25 to Rs 40 per day is given to the prisoners who work in jails. The inmates could use this money in future, said the Minister.
Panwar said an exhibition of the goods made by prisoners had been set up for the purpose of realizing the dreams of skill development of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Describing jails as ‘Sudhaar Grah’, he said the Government “believes if anyone comes to jail for some reason, he should be given an opportunity to improve himself.”
The youth would be trained at workshops so that they could work for their family and the State according to their expertise, after release from jail. This kind of skill development of inmates was being carried out in all jails in the Sate, he said.
The Minister said several workshops would be held in jails to promote skill development. A shop has been built to sell the products made by prisoners. A rate list of all the products has also been displayed, he added.
Panwar said the Chief Minister had taken a major decision on Independence Day under which it had been decided to grant remission to male inmates of 75 years and above, and females of 65 years and above, on the basis of their good conduct and behaviour who were convicted for 20 years.
Besides, it had also been decided to release those convicted for 10 years or less and had completed two-third of their sentence. It has also been decided to grant remission of 45 days to those prisoners who have been convicted for 10 years or more, having good behaviour and are not hardcore criminals. In addition, remission of one month would be given to those convicted for 10 years or less, added the Minister.