Haryana to offer open air camps to prisoners

To encourage good conduct, satisfactory performance of work and a life of self-discipline among prisoners, the Haryana Government on Monday proposed shifting them to 'Open Air Camps' and to provide them with a pre-release opportunity to learn social adjustment and economic self dependence.

"The government on the recommendations of the Director General, Prisons, may establish as many such camps as necessary in the vicinity of the regular prison under general directions and control of the respective superintendents of the regular prison," a Home Department spokesman said.

He said that the accommodation, including electricity, water supply and other basic amenities for housing the prisoners would be made available and suitable number of family accommodations would also be provided as per the requirement in the Open Air Camps.

"A prisoner shifted to the Open Air Camp would arrange food, clothing and other requirements of daily routine for himself as well as for his family out of his own earnings. He would also maintain his bank account himself or through his family member and would retain the income generated or earned by him," he added.

Prisoners shifted to Open Air Camp and employed by the prison Superintendent to perform any work would be paid minimum wages as fixed by the government.

"A prisoner shifted to Open Air Camp would keep his family member and no prisoner would be shifted to the Camp with whom a family member is not ready to reside. A prisoner and his family member living in the Camp would maintain discipline, cleanliness and proper hygiene," he added.

He said that prisoners who would not be eligible for shifting to the Open Air Camp included a hardcore prisoners; those below the age of 30 years; not medically fit to do work; under-trial prisoner, or a civil prisoner; prisoner charge sheeted or convicted in more than one case; having unexpired sentence of not less than two years on the date of shifting to the Open Air Camp and being punished for a major prison offence in the last three years.

--IANS

js/vd