New jail, state’s own manual on the anvil

SHILLONG: There is a move to have a new jail as the Shillong jail is congested and the State Government is also framing its own jail manual for better administration.
The Commissioner and Secretary (Home-jail) T. Dkhar said the department had in January sent a letter to the Urban Affairs Department for the allotment of land at Mawdiangdiang for the construction of a new jail due to the congestion at the present site on Jail Road.
While the capacity of the Shillong jail is around 150, it very often accommodates double the number of inmates than the actual capacity.
Moreover, due to the rapid urbanisation, the residential buildings have come up close to the jail.
The proposed five-star hotel on Jail road had also raised security concerns.
Besides, based on the suggestion and format of the Central government, the State Government will finalise its own jail manual soon.
At present, the State Government is following Assam Jail manual which has become obsolete.
The official said the draft Meghalaya jail manual is ready and this will have to be approved by the Cabinet.