Queency Jain –
Amid Covid-19 pandemic, a direction is made to the State of Odisha to come up with a detailed action plan for dealing with the issue of overcrowded prisons.
The direction comes after a division bench of Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar and Justice Savitri Ratho were informed that at least 6 prisons in the state are overcrowded amid the second wave thereby posing a serious risk to health and safety of the prisoners as well as the jail staff.
The bench was informed by giving reference of Bhadrak Special Sub Jail where the situation was so grave that with the acute capacity of 166 prisoners, the prison was filled over 430 prisoners.
Concerning over the issue, the Court not only asked the State to come up with an action plan, but also suggested to upgrade state building and facilities to meet the requirements of the prison.
The Bench, by reports of District Magistrates, was informed that District Jail in Phulbani, the Special Sub-Jail in Bhadrak and the Sub-Jails in Jajpur, Nayagarh, Parlakhemundi and Malkangiri are heavily crowded and require immediate attention.
The Court has directed the State to come up with the action plan by 28 June.