Inspection of District Jail , Kapurthala.

On 14.02.2010, I visited District Jail, Kapurthala. Superintendent Jail and the doctor posted there accompanied me at the time of my visit.

This jail was constructed in 1914 and is having a capacity of 250 persons whereas at the time of my visit, 372 inmates were lodged in the jail.

There is no Female Ward in the jail.

STAFF

This jail needs 1 more Assistant Superintendent, Jail, 5 Wardens, one Head Constable, one Driver and one Sweeper.

HOTLINE

This jail is not connected with Hotline.

SECURITY POSTS

This jail requires 4 Security Post but no Post is guarded by the Security Peronnel.

There is no CCTA Camera to observe the activities in the jail.

VISITORS ROOM

There is no separate room to meet the visitors. A very small place is reserved for visiting of the relatives of the inmates.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

A number of inmates reported that they have not been provided with legal assistance to be provided by the Government.

RELEASE ON PAROLE

A large number of inmates reported that they have not been released on parole in spite of the fact that they have completed formalities.

PREMATURE RELEASE

Paramjit Singh s/o Lakha Singh, aged about 70 years, has reported that he is eligible to be released on premature release, but he has not been released by the jail authorities so far.

SPECIAL DIET

Heart patients and Sugar patients in the jail have reported that there is no arrangement to provide special diet to the inmates. There are about 8 sugar patients in the jail.

T.V. & CABLE

Some of the rooms do not have TA and the TVs lying in the other rooms do not have cable facility.

DISPENSARY

At the time of my visit, 5 patients were admitted in the Dispensary. All were satisfied with the behaviour of the Medical Staff. It is worth mentioning here that with the efforts of the Medical Staff, the annual budget of medicines which was 10 Lacs per year, has been brought down to 3 Lacs per year.

It is a question of appreciation that the Medical Staff made 33 inmates de-addict.

KITCHEN

24 inmates were working in the kitchen. At the time of my visit, gas was leaking. The Jail Superintendent was directed to take care about the leakage of the gas to avoid any untoward incident.

RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS

The staff has some newly constructed residential quarters, but no body has shifted there as there is no boundary wall around the quarters and the staff is feeling insecure without boundary wall. The quarters where the staff is living also needs heavy repairs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Building be repaired or reconstructed so that some thing may not happen in this old building. Some additional construction be made to adjust additional burden of inmates.

Hotline facility be provided in the jail.

Proper staff be provided in the Jail.

Proper Security measures be taken up. All the Posts be guarded by security. CCTV Camera be also provided in the jail.

The inmates who are eligible to be released on parole, be released immediately if they have completed other formalities.

Similarly, persons who are eligible for premature release, be released without any delay, if they have complied with the formalities for their release.

Legal assistance be provided to the inmates who are demanding the assistance.

Special diet be provided to diabetic and heart patients.

Proper Water drinking facility be provided in the Jail.

Medical Staff be appreciated, who have done a good job.

Some modern equipment be provided in the kitchen.

Residential quarters be provided with boundary walls and the quarters which need repairs, be repaired soon.

-Sd-

( Avinash Rai Khanna )

Member