On 12.12.2009, I visited Sub Jail, Barnala. The ADC, Tehsildar and Dr. Bhalinder Singh, DFWO, Barnala were also present at the time of my visit. My report and recommendations are as under:-

Capacity of Jail

The Jail is having a capacity of 250 inmates, but at the time of my visit, 306 inmates were there in the Jail, out of which, 72 were convict of rigorous imprisonment, one convict was of simple imprisonment and one inmate was in civil prison. So, 232 inmates were undertrials.

Staff

The position of staff is as under :-

Designation Sanctioned Posted Vacant

Dy.Supdt.Jail 01 01 …

Clerk … … …

Pharmacist 01 03 …

Headwarders 06 05 01

Warders 44 43 01

Sweeper 02 01 01

This jail is not connected with hotline which is the need of the hour.

Kitchen

The kitchen was neat and clean. 22 inmates were working in the kitchen at the time of my visit.

Watch Towers:

There were 4 Watch Towers. Only one Watch TGower was having Police Force to protect the Jail. 3 Watch Towers were not functioning.

CCTV Camera

This jail has no facility of CCTV Camera.

In Jail, TVs were fitted for the entertainment of the inmates.

Bath Rooms and Toilets

Almost all the Bath Rooms and Toilets were not neat and clean. Even in Barrack No.4 and 5 sewerage water was lying collected in the compound of these barracks.

There was no provision to cover the windows to save the inmates of the jail from cold.

Video Conference System

The instruments have been fitted for video conference system, but yet they are not operative.

Dispensary

The jail dispensary is having 3 pharmacists, but no doctor. The doctors used to be called from the hospital whenever the need arose. At the time of my visit, 39 inmates had got medicines from the dispensary.

It is also reported that the jail authorities have been trying to improve the condition of drug addicts and as reported by the jail authorities, about 15 drug addicts have been made non-addicts with the efforts of the jail authorities. This action needs appreciation.

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There were 3 isolated wards in the jail which were not neat and clean.

Minors in the Jail

Harjit Singh and Jeewan Singh claimed themselves to be minors of the age of 15 years of age and they have been detained in this Jail.

Visitors’ Room

The relatives and friends from the visitors, whosoever come to meet the inmates, for them the space is not sufficient. Even in summer season, they do not have proper facility of fan etc. This needs up-gradation.

RECOMMENDATIONS :

The Government should be advised to make provision so that the jail may not be over-crowded.

This jail be connected with hotline.

Proper facility for the sitting of visitors be provided in the jail so that they may feel comfortable while meeting the inmates of the jail.

Staff of which the posts are vacant, be immediately provided for the smooth running of the jail system.

All the watch towers be equipped with man-power which is required for the safety of the jail.

CCTV Camera be provided in the jail .

Proper lights should be provided in the jail which were missing at the time of the visit.

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The minors should be shifted to Juvenile Jail.

Proper arrangement should be made to make the jail neat and clean. Sewerage water lying collected in the barracks should be immediately removed and necessary arrangement be made so that dirty water does not collect in the compound of the barracks.

Video Conference System should be put in order immediately.

The Doctor should be posted in the Jail.

This jail is situated in District Headquarters and it needs to be up-graded as District Jail.

( Avinash Rai Khanna )

Member

15.12.2009

Hon’ble Chairperson