Govt orders constitution of DLCs for improving conditions of prisons in J&K

Jammu: In compliance with the Supreme Order about inhumane conditions in 1382 prisons, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the constitution of district-level committees to improve the conditions of prisons in the union territory. The said Committees are tasked to assess the available infrastructure and current capacity of existing jails, incorporating Artificial Intelligence and introducing video conferencing for conducting Mulakaats and telemedicine facilities, for the ease of the inmates.
The five-member District Level Committee(s) will be headed by the Principal/District Judge (Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority) as its chairman. Besides, the body will have three members — the District Magistrate Concerned, the Senior Superintendent/Superintendent of Police, and the Superintendent of Jail. The Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority will be its convener.
As per order of J&K Home department, “In compliance to Order dated 03.02.2024 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 406/2013 Re-Inhuman Conditions in 1382 Prisons, the sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of District Level Committee(s), comprising the following, for taking various measures for improving the conditions of prisons in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.”
The order said that the committees would assess the available infrastructure and current capacity of existing jails and assess the requirement of constructing more jails in the district or enhancing the capacity of existing jails to meet the standards laid down in the Model Prison Manual, 2016. “To consider the implementation of steps required for incorporating Artificial Intelligence and introducing video conferencing for conducting Mulakaats and telemedicine facilities, for the ease of the inmates. To initiate steps to examine the requirement of expanding the existing jails and acquiring land to set up new jails within the district, depending on the current capacity, occupancy and future demands of the district and come up with firm proposals,” reads the order.
The committees have also been tasked to seek and monitor the status of all the ongoing projects/proposals that are pending in the district(s) and ensure that milestones are set down for completing the ongoing projects; Wherever a project has yet to take off for want of land, to take steps to identify land for acquisition and to table the report before the Chief Secretary for obtaining necessary approvals, and fast-tracking the process.
“To examine the needs of the district(s) and formulate proposals over and above those laid down in the Model Prison Manual. However, the minimum requirements prescribed under the said Manual shall not be compromised. Future projections shall span for at least 50 years for implementation,” the order added.

Updated On 4/23/2024 12:54:34 AM