Four new prisons in Punjab to reduce overcrowding

Punjab government is setting up four new jails in the state as there are more than 26,000 prisoners against the capacity of 18,000 in jails, a top jails department official said here today.
To reduce overcrowding, four new jails are being built at Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar and Tarn Taran, Rajpal Meena, state Additional Director General Police (Prisons), said.
The capacity to house prisoners in Sangrur and Nabha jails has recently been increased, he said.
"There are more than 26,000 prisoners, including 1,200 women inmates as against the capacity of 18,000 prisoners in the jails of Punjab," he said.
"Stress is laid on to improve the quality of food and health services of prisoners. Metro canteens for prisoners have been set up in some of the jails which will be extended to all in the near future," he said.

The jail department is facing a shortage of more than 1,300 wardens, he said adding, to meet this shortage Home Guards and other allied personnel have been requisitioned.
To rehabilitate prisoners, training in carpentry and other works are being done so that prisoners can earn livelihood.