Jailbirds feel at home, but in July

Paperwork, fencing delay launch of open jail in Hazaribagh; central prison screens inmate dossier

A.S.R.P. MUKESH

Ranchi, May 11: Good things come to those who wait. And for a home away from home, prisoners of five central jails are doing just that. The much-touted open jail in picturesque Hazaribagh, which was slated for a March inauguration, will now house “reformed” inmates only by July-end, a delay apparently caused by extensive paperwork and formulation of detailed guidelines for the first-of-its-kind prison in the state. Highly placed officials said the only job left was erecting a 3-metre wire fence around a clutch of 30 cottages spread over two acres. IG (prisons) Vijay Kumar Singh said jail posts had already been identified and they were waiting for the state government to show the green light. “Altogether eight posts have been identified — a jail superintendent, a jailer, a warden, a head warden, a medical officer, a paramedical staff, an industry expert and an agriculturist. The jail will open soon,” he said. According to highly placed sources, the entry criteria to these halfway homes had been relaxed. “Earlier, we had decided to house prisoners who had completed 75 per cent of their term, but now the figure has been brought down to 50 per cent. However, those booked under certain sections like 302 of IPC, or for narcotics crime will not be eligible for the open jail. Also, good mental and physical health for a period of at least a year is mandatory,” said a senior jail official. The remission period has also been doubled. “Normally, prisoners with 10-year term can avail remission up to 40 months (one-third of the term). However, in the open jail, inmates can avail remission equivalent to the term of their stay,” the official added. The concept of open jails has its roots in the west. It is meant to house prisoners displaying good conduct, and act as a halfway house for those whose release is due soon. There are 27 open jails across India, including a few in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. And although a fairly new concept, these jails have thrown up several success stories. In Jharkhand, the authorities are also planning to set up various small-scale industries within the open jail premises to help prisoners earn a decent livelihood. Sources said besides industrial activities, the focus was on medicinal plants and dairy. “The land in Hazaribagh is suitable for cultivating medicinal plants, so we are developing a medicine farm there. But the high point is a dairy. We will provide cattle to prisoners who want to run dairies. After their released, they can take the cattle with them,” a source said. The selection process of prisoners to be shifted to the open jail, which can house a maximum of 100 inmates, has, meanwhile, begun. Singh said workshops on dos and don’ts would begin at all the five central jails from next week. On March 28 and April 28, the IG had held meetings with superintendents of all central jails and directed them to identify inmates who could be shifted. Two screening committees — one at district level and the other at IG level — were formed. The district level committee comprises the jail superintendent, the deputy commissioner and the SSP. The other panel is formed by the IG (prisons), additional IG (prisons), DGP and a representative from the home department, who will give the final go-ahead.