PANJIM: The first phase of the new modern central jail at Colvale, which will house 350-odd prisoners, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday. With the commissioning of the new Jail, the historic Aguada Jail will no longer be used to house prisoners as its possession will revert to the government.
Parsekar said that Colvale jail will be rechristened as Correctional Home as per the Supreme Court guidelines with the government also intending to provide a friendly atmosphere to all inmates.
“In modern times the concept of jail has been changed and is looked as centers of reformation. No one becomes a criminal by birth but by incidents. The convicted or under trials have to be provided opportunities to improve themselves and be made eligible to live normal respected lives,” he said adding, “Society should not ostracize them.”
While the first phase has been commissioned, the entire project at the cost of Rs 107 crore will be ready by March 2016, Parsekar, who also holds Home Portfolio, said in the presence of Chief Secretary R K Srivastava, MLAs Glenn Ticlo and Kiran Kandolkar, Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes, Principal Chief Engineer of PWD D J S Borkar among others. “Almost 80 percent work of the jail is been completed,” the CM added.
The jail has video conferencing facilities and CCTV surveillance. The facilities of mobile jammers and electrical fencing will be taken up upon the completion of the entire jail.
Amenities have been provided in the jail taking in view reformation and rehabilitation of inmates. Various barracks for male and female inmates, multipurpose hall, counseling center, 15 bed hospital, security administration, kitchen block, surveillance system and various necessary services provided to make it a modern reformation center. The 46 mtrs area around the jail has been declared a no development zone.
The convicts from Aguada Central jail, Mapusa sub-jail and criminals involved in cases falling in the north Goa jurisdiction will now be shifted in batches under strict security to the new jail.
