COVID-19: Baghel takes stock of measures in C'garh jails

Raipur, Apr 7 () Chhattisgarh Chief MinisterBhupesh Baghel on Tuesday directed officials to ensure strictcompliance of precautionary measures against coronavirus inthe state's prisons, an official here said.

The Chief Minister spoke to officials and prisoners offive central jails, district jails and sub-jails over video-conferencing on Tuesday.

The state's Home and Jail Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu andChief Minister's additional chief secretary Subrat Sahoo werealso present for the session.

"Baghel asked officials to ensure strict complianceof precautionary measures such as social distancing, wearingmasks and frequent washing of hands in prisons," an officialstatement here said.

The Chief Minister also enquired about cleanliness injails, food, visitors' arrangements and release of prisonersetc, and also instructed the authorities to conduct healthcheck-ups for all prisoners.

According to the statement, the Chief Minister alsodirected officials to house new prisoners in separate barracksand arrange for thermal scanners and hand sanitisers at theentrance of jails.

There are five central jails, 12 district jails and 16sub-jails in the state, with a total accommodation capacity of12,823, against which 17,131 prisoners (8,151 convicted and8,980 undertrials) are currently lodged, the release said.

During the video conference, officials informed Baghelthat jail premises and barracks were cleaned regularly, whilemasks and other hygiene products were provided to staff andinmates.

Prison visits have also been suspended till April 14,officials said.

According to the release, as on April 5, 1,193prisoners were released on bail, parole and completion oftheir sentences in view of the Supreme Court's directions todecongest prisons in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

At least 892 prisoners were released on interim orregular bail, 255 on parole, while 46 were freed on completionof their sentences, the release stated. TKPARU ARU