COVID-19 outbreak: 2,500 prisoners released from Gujarat jails

Ahmedabad, May 17 () Nearly 2,500 prisoners havebeen released from 28 jails across Gujarat so far since thecoronavirus outbreak, a senior official said on Sunday.

Prisoners were released on parole, interim bail andfurlough to de-congest the overcrowded jails and contain thespread of coronavirus among the inmates, he said.

There were some 14,000 prisoners in various jails ofthe state, Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, K LN Rao said.

"We have released nearly2,500 prisoners as per theSupreme Court's guidelines and recommendations of the high-level committee," he said.

Of these prisoners, nearly 1,000 were released oninterim bail, 800 on parole, and 700 on furlough, he said.

The Supreme Court in March this year directed allstates and Union Territories to constitute high-levelcommittees to consider releasing on parole or interim bailprisoners and undertrials for offences entailing up to seven-year jail term, to decongest prisons in the wake of theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The top court said overcrowding of prisons is a matterof serious concern, particularly in the present context ofCOVID-19. KA PDGK GK