Pb Jail Min's surprise visit to Central Jail Patiala

Jails and Co-operation Minister, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa paid a surprise visit to the Central Jail Patiala on Wednesday morning asserting that reforming the jails is on top priority of the State Government.

Talking to reporters, Randhawa said that to stop the misuse of mobiles in jails, the jail department has maintained regular contact with the Union Government as required for upgrading the jammers from 3G to 4G. He said that the jail system needs more reforms so as to deal with the gangsters and hardcore criminals inside the jails and also that he would take personal interest in proving equal to the responsibility.

The minister said that modalities are being worked out to make arrangements for setting up of special courts inside the jails to try the gangsters there itself to ensure that they are not allowed to project themselves as heroes. It would ensure that the youth is not led astray by such showoff.

Randhawa said a special court room is being prepared inside the jail for the purpose whereas the video conferencing method is already in use for the hearing of the matters involving gangsters.

The minister said that to transform the jails into reform houses and tackle behavioral issues of the inmates, psychologists would be hired for counseling. He said that as usage of drugs by the inmates is a major area of concern and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has sanctioned 420 posts of warders to strengthen the security arrangements of jails.

The Jails minister added that 150 are being trained in Patiala, 375 in RTC Kapurthala while the recruitment process with regard to 267 is going on. He also said that those employees performing well would be given promotions and honours while the non-performers would have to face the music. 

Randhawa said an agreement would be inked with the co-operation and social security departments to ensure that the goods manufactured such as-Durries, inside the jails would be purchased by the anganwadi centres. He also lauded the skill centre opened inside the women's cell of the jail.

The minister also interacted with the inmates of the jail and resolved the complaints of about 50 inmates on the spot. He also announced the speedy redressal of the pending cases of parole, next action concerning legal aid matters and opening up of the co-operative bank ATMs for the salary issues of the jail employees. 

The minister also took stock of the jail hospital and canteen, inspected the food quality and announced Rs. 7 lakh from his discretionary quota for purchasing 2 roti making machines for the jail and the setting up of a Verka booth here.