As many as 16,639 under-trial prisoners and 150 convicts have been released from various jails in the State for decongestion of the prisons after the Covid-19 outbreak, official sources said on Wednesday.
The prisoners were released between March 20 and July 28 as per the direction of the Supreme Court and the decision of a High-Powered Committee of the State.
As directed by the High-Powered Committee, the Under Trial Review Committees of 30 districts having District Judges, District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, Secretaries of DLSAa and Jail Superintendents as members had taken the decision on merit for ensuring decongestion of jails.
This apart, a total of 1,202 prisoners have been shifted from overcrowded jails to less-crowded Jails so far, the sources added.