A total of five central jails of Chhattisgarh have reached an alarming State of overcapacity with the number of inmates far exceeding the prescribed intake capacity as on October 31, 2015.
As per the official data available, the Raipur Central Jail with the prescribed capacity of 1,190 had as many as 3093 prisoners till the aforementioned period.
Similarly, the Jagdalpur Central Jail with the capacity of 889 prisoners had 1666 prisoners. The Bilaspur Central jail with a capacity of 1028 prisoners had 3167 prisoners whereas Central Jail Ambikapur with a capacity of 975 prisoners had 2180 prisoners while Durg Central jail with a capacity of 396 prisoners had 1,891 prisoners.
Notably, about 232 prisoners have been released from various jails of Chhattisgarh under the 'Special Remission' granted by the State Government on the eve of Independence Day on August 14 this year, officials stated.
This list included 191 inmates who were undergoing life imprisonment. The number of inmates who got their jail term lessened were 1011 in Central jails, district jails and sub-jails. The days of Remission ranges from seven days upto a maximum of four months.
The Jail officials said that in Raipur Central Jail, 42 life-term inmates, in Bilaspur Central Jail (51), in Jagdalpur Central Jail (47), Ambikapur Central Jail (46) convicts and in Durg Central Jail five life term convicts have been released on 'Special Remission' grant.
Ninety-three prisoners have been released in the previous calendar year (2014 ) under the provisions of remission granted by the Chhattisgarh Government on various occasions, officials stated.
About 2,458 prisoners were benefitted due to the remission granted and their jail term reduced.
The Jail Department officials said that 38 prisoners had been freed on Republic Day on January 26, 2014 while three prisoners were freed on International Women's Day on March 8, 2014, 32 prisoners were freed on Independence Day in August 2014 and 20 prisoners were freed on Guru Ghasidas Jayanti on December 18, 2014.
A total of 2458 prisoners got their jail term lessened on various occasions. Ninety-three women prisoners are included in getting their sentence reduced.
Notably, the State Jail Department had taken many positive steps to train prisoners in various fields so that they may find self-employment after their release from jails.
The prisoners in Durg Central Jail are being trained in various trades, officials stated.
About 160 prisoners are undergoing training in carpentry work, sewing, iron works, power looms, offset and screen printing and many other trades.
Fifty prisoners are learning the making of computer table, benches, cots, Deewan, sofa-sets, wooden temples and furniture.
Thirty-six prisoners in Durg Central Jail are learning offset and screen printing.
They are being trained in making forms ,registers, pamphlets, books and school diaries.
Forty-five prisoners are undergoing training in sewing, dress making and tailoring.
They are being trained in making kurtas, pyjamas, caps, banians, uniforms, salwar suits, blouse, safari-suits and shirts -trousers.
Twenty-eight prisoners are undergoing training in dual desk, single desk, steel chairs
and tea-table making. Six prisoners are being trained on power looms to make handloom clothes.
A number of jails in the State have been offering skill training to the inmates.
A Skill Development Programme was launched on December 11 this year in Kanker District Jail with the objective of bringing positive change in the mindset of jail inmates and to upgrade their professional skills.
Mason and Gardener training programme were started for which 26 and 24 number of jail inmates respectively were selected respectively. Earlier a similar programme of Calligraphy and craft training was conducted for female prisoners in the jail, officials said.
The idea behind the Skill Development Programme is to connect prisoners with various trades so that they could put behind their past and take up financial activities and leave a normal life.
In September this year, the Rajnandgaon district jail administration conducted skill development training classes for its inmates.
The step was taken with a view to providing better rehabilitation for prisoners after their release.
Presently, as many as 63 inmates are receiving training on ‘Zari Zardozi’ work, stitching, designing fancy bags and computer typing.
According to an official press release, it would be convenient for the trained inmates to find a job on the basis of the training received during their prison terms.
Besides, the 63 inmates and 17 prisoners have been trained for the similar purpose under the 'Saksharta-Shiksha' Programme. Similarly in July this year , the Jail Department had taken many positive steps to train prisoners in various fields so that they may find self-employment after their release from jails in Durg Central Jail.
The prisoners in Durg Central Jail are being trained in various trades, officials stated.
About 160 prisoners are undergoing training in carpentry work, sewing, iron works, power looms, offset and screen printing and many other trades.
Fifty prisoners are learning the making of computer table, benches, cots, deewan, sofa-sets, wooden temples and furniture.
Thirty-six prisoners in Durg Central Jail are learning offset and screen printing.
They are being trained in making forms ,registers, pamphlets, books and school diaries.
Forty-five prisoners are undergoing training in sewing, dress making and tailoring.
They are being trained in making kurtas, pyjamas, caps, banians, uniforms, salwar suits, blouse, safari-suits and shirts -trousers.
Twenty-eight prisoners are undergoing training in dual desk, single desk, steel chairs and tea-table making. Six prisoners are being trained on power looms to make handloom clothes.