Jailbirds in Telangana have comforts in store

Prison dept to introduce a slew of reforms to help inmates enjoy the jail stay

Hyderabad: If the latest proposals by the Prisons department become reality, the prisoners identified as having good conduct will have the facility to live with their family members in jails. If the proposals are implemented, the prisoners can also go out under strict surveillance for daily wage works or agricultural works, provided they must return in the evening hours. According to sources, Director General of the Prisons department of Telangana VK Singh has done huge groundwork to reform notorious criminals put in jails.

At present, prisoners who have good conduct are being sent to open air jails, which are located at Charlapally and Gachibowli. Prisoners practice agricultural work in these jails. Till now, this was the only exemption given to prisoners to feel free. They were paid by the Prison department of Rs 75 per day as wage for their services. But, these prisoners are not allowed to come out of the jail except those who are working in petrol bunks, recently installed recently in Charlapally and Chanchalguda localities.

Apart from these facilities, officials now are planning to provide more freedom to open air jail inmates. Very soon, quarters will be constructed in these jails for prisoners to stay along with their families. At present, the Rajastan Open Air Jail is providing the same facility, which is called ‘Sanghneer’.

The Prisons DG had visited Rajastan Open Air Jail as part of a study tour last month and observed how the ‘Sanghneer’ functioned. He was impressed by the facilities provided to prisoners, said a source. Prisoners under ‘Sanghneer’ live with their family members and go out for jobs or agriculture works. As per the recommendations of Jail officials, industrialists of Rajastan are also ready to provide jobs to reformed prisoners, according to sources.

The prisons DG also visited Naini Jail of Utter Pradesh in January. The specialty of Nainy jail is, according to officials, it was constructed by prisons. After visiting this jail, the DG had decided to utilise services of the prisoners of Telangana jails for schools development, said an official.

“We are going to adopt 10 schools in each district of Telangana. We shall develop those schools. Prisoners will repair school buildings. The cost of building material will be borne by the Prisons department. Apart from this, prisoners, who are well educated, will teach students under ‘Vidya Danam’ scheme”, VK Singh said.

“We already provided phone facility in central prisons. This will be extended to all jails. Those who have good conduct can make eight calls in a month. This scheme was launched two months ago. Initially, very few prisoners were eligible to utilise this service. Now, the number of eligible prisoners is increased.

The increasing number clearly says that the number of prisoners with good conduct is also increased,” he added. He also said, “We are proud to announce that the Prisons department is corruption free department. Our main aim is to change the behavior of criminals. Reforms will be continued until we reach our goal”.