Randhawa promises reformation of Punjab jails

Special courts inside jails, steps to check mobile and drug use among inmates, speedy redressal of pending parole cases and appointment of psychologists to counsel prisoners were some of the steps promised by newly-appointed Punjab minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa today.

Randhawa, who took over as the jails and co-operation minister yesterday, announced the steps as part of the state government's initiative to reform the jail system.

The minister paid a surprise visit to the central jail here.

He said regular contact will be maintained with the Union government for upgrading the jammers installed in jails from 3G to 4G to check the use of mobile phones by inmates.

He said modalities were also being worked out to set up special courts inside jails for speedy trials.

Randhawa said a special court room was already being set up inside the jail here, including the video conferencing facility for hearing matters involving gangsters.

The minister said in order to transform jails into reform houses and tackle behavioral issues of inmates, psychologists would be hired for counselling them.

The Congress leader also raised concerns over drug usage by inmates.

"Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has sanctioned 420 posts of warders to strengthen the security arrangements of jails. Apart from this, 150 warders are being currently trained in Patiala, 375 at Kapurthala, while the recruitment process with regard to 267 warders is going on," he said.

Randhawa said an agreement will also be inked with the co-operation and social security departments to ensure that the goods manufactured in jails such as 'durries' would be purchased by anganwadi centres.

He also appreciated the skill centre opened inside the women's cell of the jail.

The jail minister also interacted with inmates and resolved complaints of about 50 of them on the spot.

Randhawa also announced speedy redressal of pending cases of parole.