To decongest State prisons in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, around 4,100 jail inmates were released on parole or interim bail in Haryana during the first 20 days of lockdown.
However, on the charges of different offences, around 640 new inmates have also been lodged in jails after the national lockdown imposed on March 24, Haryana Director General (Prisons) K Selvaraj said while talking to The Pioneer over the phone.
Earlier, in pursuance to the directives issued by the apex court, the State Government had decided that convicts will be released on parole for six weeks and undertrial prisoners on interim bail for the same period, to de-congest jails and to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Selvaraj said, “Prisons have suspended visitation and largely restricted the movement of inmates within their jails. We are taking all precautionary measures and have given necessary directions to the jail authorities in view of Covid-19 outbreak.”
Jail authorities have been asked to ensure that anyone who reports fever or flu will be shifted to the isolation ward with the recommendation of the medical officer, he said, adding they have been directed to make an arrangement of sanitisers at the entrance and ensure that no one is allowed to enter without using it. The meeting of inmates with their family members has also been cancelled till the next order and no outsider is allowed in the jail premises.
The DG (Prisons) said that till date, as many as 641 new inmates facing various charges have been lodged in different jails of the State since March 25.
A quarantine ward has been set up in all the jails for the newly lodged inmates. These inmates were being kept under observation for 14 days before being transferred to other wards in the prison after being certified by the jail medical officer.
Selvaraj further said that in accordance with the directions issued by a high-powered committee set up for the purpose, as many as 4198 prisoners were released on parole or interim bail or personal bond or regular bail who were confined in several jails across the State.
Among the other steps taken are the suspension of visits and group activities like yoga. Inmates have been asked to refrain from being in large groups, he added.
Sources in jail headquarters said that in some districts, authorities concerned are spraying sodium hydrochloride for disinfecting their jails. Fogging inside the jail has also been ordered to check the spread of malaria. Sanitiser bottles have been placed outside all barracks and inmates have been directed to use them before entering barracks after meals, they added.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered all states to set up high-level panels which would consider releasing all convicts who have been jailed for up to seven years on parole to decongest jails in an attempt to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.
In Haryana, a high-level committee was constituted, which has arranged for the release of around 4,198, and added that many are yet to be released. In the State, more than 19,000 inmates have been lodged in the 19 prisons.