Jeypore: With eight police stations, problems are galore in Jeypore sub-jail in Koraput district. Official reports reveal the sub-jail is over-packed with inmates, double the capacity limit.
Currently, there are hundreds waiting for their day in court, and a majority of them face felony charges.
Built in 1958, eight police stations and all courts in the district depend on the sub-jail, leading to its overcrowding. Despite repeated demands, no steps have been taken to upgrade the sub-jail into a special jail.
The jail has a capacity to accommodate 400 inmates and steps are yet to be taken to increase its security arrangements. “We have demanded the senior officials to shift at least 100 inmates to Koraput Circle Jail,” officials of the sub-jail said.
More than 600 cases are pending in both Jeypore town police station and Sadar police station area that is hub to many most notorious criminals. Moreover, Jeypore has the only-women police station.
While Jeypore also has become a haven for ganja smuggling, contraband traders from Odisha as well as neighbouring states are now serving as under-trials after getting caught. Similarly, there are district and sessions court, family court, special vigilance court, POCSO court in Jeypore.
So, the number of cases and the number of inmates—mostly under-trials — are more, compared to Koraput Circle Jail that handles Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur criminals.
Situation turns grim in the sub-jail during bandh of courts following strike or rally by lawyers. While the sub-jail has the capacity to accommodate only 153 inmates, at present there are 353 inmates.
Moreover, staff shortage in the sub-jail further adds to the woes. Out of 15 vacancies as per government norm, there are only seven warders, two women warders and three main warders along with one jail superintendent, a sub-jailor and an assistant jailor.
“There were more inmates during bandh for HC permanent bench demand. However, at least 30 inmates were released on bail in camp courts. Otherwise, there were more than 400 inmates in the jail,” the sub-jailor said.
On the other hand, lack of proper security arrangements and less number of staff further add to the problems of the sub-jail. Many notorious criminals are now stationed in the sub-jail. There are more chances of them trying to escape or attack the officials, a lawyer said, adding that steps should be taken to improvise it and turn it into a special jail.
“The inmates are being kept as animals. This is against human rights. Steps should be taken to improve the sub-jail conditions and more security arrangements should be taken into consideration,” lawyer Rajkishore Patra said.
When contacted, sub-jail superintendent Ashok Kumar Prusty said that senior officials had been informed and steps would be taken soon.
PNN
