PANJIM: The Prisons Department has submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa that 56 prisoners are currently released on parole and furlough while no convicts serving sentence for heinous crimes including narcotics offence as well as foreign-origin convicts be given this relief.
The High Powered Committee headed by Justice M S Sonak and comprising of Chief Secretary Parimal Rai and Inspector General of Prisons Srinet Kothwale in its previous meeting had decided that convicts of foreign origin and those convicts who are undergoing sentence period for serious offences besides economic related scams, NDPS Act and Special Acts other than IPC may not be considered for parole. So also, those who have jumped the parole earlier should not be considered for fresh release. The decisions have been complied with by the authority concerned, and report submitted to the High Court.
The temporary release is based in Supreme Court’s order in March 2020 to decongest prisons amidst COVID-19 cases rise. The Apex Court continues to monitor the situation across the country.
The Committee, in its meeting on May 24 decided that those inmates who were granted parole pursuant to Supreme Court order last year should be granted parole to 90 days (extension) instead of 30 days. The High Court has also been informed that based on the Apex Court guidelines, the office of Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Superintendent of Colvale Jail shall consider to provide appropriate transport facilities for the released inmates as they might face transportation issues due to curfew and lockdown restrictions.
The total capacity of the Colvale Jail is 625 inmates of which 474 are lodged as on May 24. Of these 457 are male prisoners and 17 female prisoners. Fifty are released on parole and six on furlough and eight are awaiting release despite order by the department either due to curfew, transportation related problems or completion of procedure.
