GHMC polls delay release of prisoners

As the code of conduct is in force, government puts off issuance of guidelines to the Prisons Department to identify prisoners who are to be released on Republic Day under good conduct

Hyderabad: Elections in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have prompted the government to postpone issuance of guidelines to the Prisons Department to identify the prisoners who are to be released on Republic Day under good conduct.

“The process may be delayed this year as the election code is in force in GHMC limits. We will start identifying the prisoners after the government issues guidelines,” said Director General (Prisons) Vinoy Kumar Singh. He was speaking to reporters during the annual press conference at his office at Chanchalguda on Tuesday.

Denying allegations of usage of telephones by the prisoners like Yasin Bhatkal and Bhanu Prakash, the DG said, “We probed the allegations and they are found baseless. National Investigation Agency and other intelligence agencies have also denied the allegations.”

Out of 12 complaints received out of 31 on the Prisons Department toll free number were about corrupt practices by the officials and only four were found factual and substantially action was initiated against the concerned officials. The DG said the government could generate over Rs 216.03 crore and gained Rs 4.77 crore profits in 2015 by manufacturing and selling of various goods including sale of petrol.

The department was eying to increase the profits to Rs 10 crore by the end of 2016, he said.He said there was reduction in number of prisoners lodged at various jails in Telangana compared to yesteryears.

In 2014, as many as over 98,000 persons were lodged in jails, while in 2015 only 79,409 were lodged, out of which 3,926 were convicts and 25,541 were female under trial prisoners, the DG said adding that only two juveniles, involved in murder cases were lodged in Adilabad district jail.

The DG said a new work culture had been brought in Telangana Prisons with the initiatives of Mahaparivartan programme. He said as many as 83 released prisoners had approached the department officials to aid them in securing employment and also to avail loans from banks.

“We want to take part in creating a crime free society and the initiatives taken last year are successful in transforming the lifestyle of prisoners. As many as 15 released prisoners are employed and also we are helping 12 persons to avail bank loans. As many as 39,592 illiterate prisoners now can read newspapers,” he said.

The DG further said about 25 prisoners alleged that the police had booked them in false cases. A grievance register would be maintained in all prisons across the State to learn about the problems of prisoners and ensure their better stay.