Bengaluru, Apr 16 () Karnataka jail authorities tilldate have released 1,112 prisoners on interim bail and parolefor decongesting prisons in view of COVID-19 outbreak.
"Till today we have released 1,112, out of which convictsare 405-who have got parole, and under trials are 707- whohave got bail," Karnataka Director General of Police (prisonsand correctional services) Alok Mohan told .
He said, based on the Supreme Court's directive, a highpowered committee was constituted in Karnataka under theChairmanship of a High Court Judge, who is also the ExecutiveChairman of Karnataka State Legal Services Authority,comprising DGP Prisons and Principle Home Secretary, who isin-charge of Prisons.
"The committee formulated certain yardsticks on which toprovide interim bail and parole to the prisoners," he said,adding that under trails with offences entailing up to 7-yearjail term get the bail and convicts get parole as per theeligibility under the Karnataka government rules.
The Supreme Court on March 23 had directed all states andUnion Territories to constitute high-level committees toconsider releasing on parole or interim bail prisoners andunder trials for offences entailing up to 7-year jail term todecongest prisons in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.
The DGP said, also 305 prisoners have been shifted fromthe over crowded prisons to the prisons where there was spaceavailable.
Responding to a query if more prisoners will be gettingbail or parole, he said, the process is going on, and it alsodepends on the people who are willing.
About 200 prisoners were not willing to go on parole,because they don't want to go out in this difficult times."They feel it is safe in prison than to be outside, as prisonis a more secure environment...."
During the lockdown, there is no way that the familymembers can come to jail, Mohan said, we have also stoppedinterviews to ensure that there is no passing of infectionfrom outside people to prisoners. KSUROH ROH
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