Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Prisons Directorate has constituted several committees to study best practices on prison modernisation being followed by other states and countries and suggest measures for the implementation of the same in state. The department recently issued a circular (No24/2021) to this effect.
As many as five committees have been created to prepare separate action plans for both short and long terms which will be implemented successfully in the jails across the state.
“It has been decided to undertake long term and short term measures towards transformation of prisons by adoption of best practices prevalent in various states and countries and extensive use of technology for transparent administration of prisons. Accordingly, following committees are constituted herewith to undertake studies of best practices/technology and formulate suggestions/guidelines for implementation in jails of Odisha,” read the circular.
These committees will be headed by senior officials including two DIGs.
They will comprise five nodal officers and 21 jail officials as members.
The directorate also asked the nodal officers of the committees to take suggestions and opinions from other jail officials including jail guarding staffers who are not included in the above committees.
The nodal officers have been asked to hold regular meetings with members and senior officials heading committees on a virtual mode every week.
“Nodal officers of each committee shall take steps for holding regular meetings (online mode) on weekly basis involving respective heads of committees and other members of the committees. However, opinions from other officers of prisons/correctional services as well as guarding staff) maybe taken, if volunteered”
The 5T monitoring committee headed by Tapan Kumar Patra, accounts officer of the directorate will prepare an action plan to install low cost and effective technological tools in the jails over the next five years.
Similarly, the R&D and e-governance committees will suggest the installation of advanced technical gadgets in the jails by engaging various organizations having expertise in the field. Other committees include magazine and publication, welfare of women prisoners and transgenders and reforms, correctional services.