SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Twenty seven prisoners were released on parole from the Modern Central Jail, Colvale on Wednesday as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
Last week, the apex court ordered all States and Union Territories (UTs) to release prisoners, who were granted bail or parole last year. Following the Supreme Court order, a three-member high-powered committee comprising Bombay High Court Justice, the Chief Secretary and the IG (Prisons) met on Sunday to determine which class of prisoners can be released on parole in the wake of Corornavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, inmates above 45 years of age will be vaccinated against COVID-19 from Thursday, May 13.
It is learnt that 10 inmates were tested positive for Coronavirus and all have recovered. A 15-bedded hospital has also been set up and five oxygen concentrators are also fitted inside the jail.
Of the 27 prisoners released, 15 are serving life sentence, nine are entailing sentence up to seven years jail term and three are new prisoners. It is learnt that 15 convicts were released for the second time following their consent.
Currently eight male convicts are already on parole and six are on furlough.
The Inspector General (Prisons), Goa last year had released 69 prisoners of which two jumped parole. However, one of the convicts was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh as he was wanted in a criminal case there while the other convict from Goa is still untraceable.
The capacity of the newly built Modern Central Jail is 625 prisoners and at present there are 539 convicts and under trials. There are 97 male convicts and five female convicts while, there are 422 male under trials and 16 female under trials. Also four male and two female foreign national convicts and 50 including two women foreign national under trials have been lodged in the jail.
As per the Supreme Court directives, inmates facing economic offences, heinous crimes and foreign nationals will not be released on parole.
