Mumbai: The State government informed the Bombay High Court on Monday that it has decided to acquire around 52,000 sq.m. of land at Mankhurd to construct another prison in Mumbai.
An affidavit submitted by the joint secretary of the Home Department said, “The government has made requisition for constructing a new prison in Mumbai and the government has taken steps for acquiring land in Mankhurd, to the extent of 51,905 sq.m. The government will try to acquire land as early as possible to construct the new prison by making provisions of funds and other necessary approvals from various departments.”
Expansion at Yerwada
It also said that it is planning to construct a new prison on the Yerwada Centrail Jail premises in Pune, as the prison has sufficient land. There is no possibility of additional construction in Arthur Road and Byculla prisons, the State said.
The affidavit said the new prisons will be constructed keeping in mind the needs of the next 25 to 30 years, as recommended by a committee. According to a list prepared by the additional director general of prisons, jails in State need additional 393 toilets: 137 in central jails and 256 in district prisons.
The affidavit also said, “A child with the female prisoner will be kept in a child care institution under the Women and Child Development Department, and till the child is six, benefits of the Integrated Child Development Scheme could be provided. The government has come up with a resolution that every week, a surprise visit will be made by the Judicial Magistrate First Class and Metropolitan Magistrate in all jails. In addition, sessions court judges will make surprise visits every month.”