SHILLONG: The government has released about 400 inmates from all the five district jails in the state ever since the pandemic hit the state. As on July 31, the number of inmates in the five district jails was 899.
The undertrial prisoners have been released on bail by the trial court to decongest the jails as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the High Court of Meghalaya in view of the pandemic.
Inspector General of Prisons, M Kharkrang said that two isolation cells have been created in each jail with one earmarked for new entrants, who are initially quarantined and are allowed to move to the general ward after the Medical Officer is satisfied about their health condition. The other isolation cell is meant for inmates who show symptoms of infection. No visitors are allowed to meet the inmates and all communication between them and family is done over telephone.
He also informed that all jails are being provided with ample supply of surgical gloves, masks and hand sanitisers for the staff, adding jails have also been provided with spray guns for sanitising. In addition, posters have also been put up inside the cells for educating the inmates on the virus.
As of now, on the recommendation of the Sentence Review Committee, eight convicts and another prisoner have been released under premature release rules.
I-Day celebration
Meanwhile, Independence Day was celebrated in Shillong District jail on August 15 with the unfurling of the national flag by Kharkrang while the inmates led singing of the national anthem. The Rotary Club of Shillong sponsored lunch packets for all inmates and prison staff. The club also awarded Dennis Warkhyllew, Superintendent of the jail, with a certificate of gratitude for his relentless efforts in ensuring that inmates are not affected by virus.
