Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: Expressing serious concern over the plight of jail inmates, CPI(M) today demanded immediate reform of prisons in Jammu and Kashmir so that they become correctional homes.
“We express serious concern over the plight of jail inmates. We call for immediate jail reforms in the State and making them correctional homes instead of treating them as security-centric centres,” CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said.
“The condition of the jails in the State is very miserable, unhygienic and they are devoid of health care facilities. There is imminent need to address these serious issues and create a humane environment for inmates,” he said.
Tarigami said the jail administration was following the old and outdated Prison Acts and Jail Manuals.
Tarigami said a legislation was needed to amend the Prison Act for augmenting the facilities in the jails.
“Amnesty International, National Human Rights Commission and various committees constituted from time to time have highlighted the unhygienic and inhuman environment of the jails and suggested for massive jail reforms”, He said.
“Unfortunately these suggestions have not been acknowledged and implemented by the successive Governments at the Centre as well as in the State of J&K,” he added.
He said de-addiction centres, skill development centres and libraries should be established in jails.
He said advocated for opening of Legal Aid Clinics.
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