In Odisha, prisoners in two central jails can now see and discuss to their guests throughout visitation hours, as they converse over an intercom separated by two glass obstacles. The facility was inaugurated on 2 October.
Santosh Upadhyay is a DG (Prisons) in Odisha.
What impressed this initiative?
There are about 20-30 prisons in Odisha pre-independence. At that point, prisoners had been intentionally separated from relations to keep away from eye contact. But the brand new guidelines, which had been carried out final 12 months, have a provision to put in two mesh meshes of glass or iron in order that the visibility is as much as 80 per cent… We have 15 intercoms in Bhubaneshwar jail and 15 in Berhampur for this facility.
Have you sought inputs from different states which have carried out it?
No, however quickly there may be an all India DG Prisons Conference, the place we’ll talk about the most effective practices of prisons throughout the nation.
How do you suppose this initiative helps prisoners?
Prisoners typically undergo mentally and psychologically as a consequence of delay in trials, launch and many others. These issues elevated throughout the pandemic, however we began an e-mulaqat. These bodily conferences, the place they’ll see their members of the family, advocates, and many others., will assist them really feel higher mentally and emotionally, and also will assist in their general well being.
How has the response been?
It has been unprecedented. It offers a way of satisfaction to the prisoners in addition to the members of the family… there’s a feel-good issue.
Are there extra safety measures?
No extra safety preparations have been made. General safety personnel will maintain a watch. Also, we’ll make sure that solely three individuals are allowed to satisfy an inmate at a time.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
