COVID-19: Assam releases 1,659 inmates to decongest jails

Guwahati, Apr 16 () A total of 1,659 inmates havebeen released from 31 jails across Assam as per the SupremeCourt guidelines to decongest prisons in the wake of thecoronavirus pandemic, a senior official said on Thursday.

Assam Inspector General of Prisons Dasarath Das saidthe authorities are considering to release more prisoners inthe coming days and evaluating proposals for sending to theCentre for consideration.

"As per the guidelines, we have released a total of1,659 inmates so far from different jails across the statesince the coronavirus crisis emerged. This includes 1,591undertrials, who were released on bail and personal bonds," hetold .

Das said that another 68, who are convicts, have beenallowed to go home on annual leave from different jails.

Eligible convicts get 30 days of annual leaves foremergency purposes as per the rule.

"We have received proposals of parole from 18 convictsand they are eligible for that. So, we will release them in aday or two," the IG said.

He further informed that the jails had released a hugenumber of inmates under remission during the 150th birthanniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"We are looking at it again now. If we find sucheligible prisoners, we will send the proposals to theGovernment of India for consideration," Das said.

On March 23, the Supreme Court had directed all statesand Union Territories to constitute high-level committees toconsider releasing on parole or interim bail prisoners andundertrials for offences entailing up to seven-year jail termto decongest prisons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 8,810 inmates are currently lodged in 31jails across Assam.

The state has six central jails, 22 district jails,one open-air jail, one special jail and one sub-jail. TRSOM SOM