Karnal (Haryana) [India], December 28 (ANI): Haryana prisons are undergoing reforms with vocational training, open-air jails, and educational initiatives. The Haryana Director General of Prisons stated
that gangster culture in prisons has been effectively curbed. Director General of Prisons, Haryana, Alok Kumar Roy, stated that gangster culture, which was perviosly glamourised, has been controlled. He noted that there haven’t been any complaints about the mobile phone confiscation and ransom calls, which had become a norm before. “We controlled gangster activities very efficiently. There were no complaints about the confiscation of mobile phones or ransom calls from jail”, he said. Explaining further, he stated that the gangsters were transferred after his joining to stop gangs from forming inside the prison. “After I joined, almost 50 gangsters were transferred from one jail to another.” He noted that this level of transfers is unprecedented, but it was undertaken to curb gangster culture. Roy added that one of the ways they implemented it was to treat the gangsters the same as every other prisoner. “To control gangster culture, we allotted the same work to these gangsters as we allot to common prisoners. They had to work in maintenance, sanitation and cleanliness”, he said. Additionally, he said vocational training and educational certificates for 10th, 12th, BA, and MA have been introduced, and that prisoner rehabilitation has begun. The visuals showcased cultural festivals going on as part of the new reforms by the Haryana Prison. Meanwhile, open jails have also been established for reformation, where prisoners work outside before returning and living with their families in a flat. However, there are strict standards for who qualifies for jail. Superintendent Lakhbir Singh Brar of Karnal mentioned the criteria for open-jail prisoners and their privileges on Saturday. He told ANI, “Open jails have been started in Karnal and Faridabad. Under the Haryana Prison Rules, 2022, prisoners who meet certain criteria are considered for placement in open or semi-open jails… To be eligible, a prisoner should have only a single case against them. In these jails, prisoners can live with their families and blood relatives.” (ANI)
