The overcrowding of inmates at the Shillong jail has drawn the concern of the Meghalaya High Court.
During hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) today, the State government informed the division bench of the High Court about measures to improve the conditions in prisons in the State.
While appreciating the measures that have been taken by the State government to improve the conditions in the correctional homes, the High Court however stated that the Shillong jail has a 300 per cent occupancy.
“This needs to be addressed immediately,” the High Court said adding, “At any rate, it is completely unacceptable that there will be a correctional home with 300 per cent occupancy. It is hoped that the position is corrected by the time the matter appears next six weeks hence.”
The government also informed the High Court that in addition to the five prisons which already exist at Shillong, Tura, Williamnagar, Nongpoh and Jowai, a sixth prison is under construction at Nongstoiñ in addition to a central prison coming up at the New Shillong Township.
On this, the High Court asked the State government to take adequate steps to ensure that an alternative to the present jail at Shillong is ready as expeditiously as possible.
The court also asked the government to explore the possibility of a temporary additional facility till the alternative was found. The next hearing on the matter will be held on June 6.
It may be mentioned that Shillong jail has been overcrowded up to three times its capacity. While the capacity of the jail is for 175 inmates, around 464 inmates are housed there.
To reduce congestion in the Shillong jail, the State government is hoping for an early completion of the construction of the Nongstoiñ jail.
The government is also planning to set up a central jail at the New Shillong Township. Already, 25 acres of land has been allotted to the Prisons Department in the township for the proposed central jail.
According to authorities, the proposed central jail would decongest the Shillong jail by segregating convicts from under-trial prisoners.
