Punjab govt to introduce identity cards for visitors in jails

Punjab Jail Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur today said identity cards will be issued to visitors in jails to check number of visitors.
Jail authorities have been asked to stick to visiting hours while allowing meetings with prisoners, an official release quoting Phillaur said.
Addressing a meeting here today, Phillaur said the jail department will install CCTV cameras, mobile jammers and other security equipment to ensure proper security in all new jails.
Modalities are being worked out to ban two-storied construction of up to 100 feet from the outer walls of these new jails, he said.
Referring to the quality of food being served in the jails, the Minister said the jail department will review diet norms system in consultation with dietitians of reputed institutions.

A committee comprising IG (Jails), representatives of central jails and sub-jails and a dietitian from PGI Chandigarh has been constituted, which will submit its report recommending appropriate healthy food for jail inmates.
Phillaur asked the superintendents of jails to work out modalities to run two kitchens in each central jail with new computerised system and also directed the Jail department to introduce credit card system for inmates in all eight central jails for buying items from jail canteens.
The entire record of prisoners maintained in Punjab jails will be computerised on the pattern of Tihar Jail, the minister added.