Punjab’s jails will soon have video conference rooms for virtual hearing. Besides, the medical staff will also be permanently deployed in the jails along with the fleet of new ambulances.
The information was shared by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who conducted a surprise check of the Kapurthala district Jail and visited the Jail hospital, laboratory, wards, and emergency, besides interacting with the jail inmates.
Maintaining that the State Government is preparing a comprehensive blueprint for beefing up the security in jails on scientific lines, the Chief Minister said that already, high-powered jammers, door metal detectors, and other equipment have been installed in the state’s jails, besides providing vehicles for the Department to update the security system in the jails.
However, he said that to ensure a foolproof security system, strenuous efforts are afoot. “Based on requests of the jail authorities, more CCTV cameras along with hi-end techniques will be installed in the jails to further beef up security in jails,” he added.
Underlining the need to strictly check the supply of drugs and mobiles in the jails, the Chief Minister also directed the officers to take every step to curb this illegal practice. “Jails’ security is the State Government’s prime concern and no compromise can be made in this regard,” said the Chief Minister while calling upon the jail inmates to join the mainstream by shunning away their shady past.
The Chief Minister, expressing concern over the reports of a lack of health facilities to jail inmates, said that the State Government is committed to overcome this problem. “Soon, medical staff will be stationed permanently in the Jails to impart treatment to inmates in case of emergency. Likewise, new ambulances will also be deployed in the jails so that it can be utilized whenever there is any such need,” he added.
Also addressing the jail inmates via Radio Ujala, set up for their entertainment, Mann said that the Punjab Government has sought reports from all jails about the inmates who are not having financial support to deposit the bonds, so that they can be helped for joining the mainstream.
Mann also said that the new video conference rooms are being set up in jails for virtual hearing, so that court proceedings are put on fast track.