SHILLONG, Feb 9: The Prisons department has sent a proposal to the Meghalaya government for setting up a modernised central jail correctional facility in the New Shillong Township area.
Inspector General of Prisons, M Kharkrang, said that the communication with the government on the proposal is under way, while also informing that the department is looking for land area measuring around 25 acres.
The proposed capacity of the jail is 400-500 inmates.
According to Kharkrang, the proposed jail will be more of a correctional facility where the convicts will be given training on different trades.
The department is also eyeing to provide education to convicts.
“The main idea is that the convicts, after completing their sentence, can find employment,” the Inspector General added.
If given the nod, the move would facilitate decongesting most of the central jails in the state right now.
As on December 31, 2020, the population in Shillong District jail was 422 inmates, while it was 188 in Jowai District jail. In Tura District jail, it was 218 and 29 in Williamnagar District jail. Nongpoh district jail, on the other hand, had a population of 150 inmates.