Kerala Kaumudi impact; action taken in the wake of security issues; new central prison as solution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to build a new central prison as a solution to the security problems being faced at Central Prisons, including Poojappura, which has twice the number of prisoners than it can accommodate. An officer-level committee may also be formed for this purpose. The government was informed by the prison chief and others that the situation in Poojappura was complicated. Prison officials also brought to the government's attention the increasing number of prisoners in many prisons. The decision was taken in the context of the publication of Kerala Kaumudi reports regarding the large number of prisoners and the ensuing problems.

Nettukaltheri project scrapped

There was a plan to acquire land near the Nettukaltheri open prison for the new central prison. A detailed sketch of the prison was prepared with the help of officials from the Poojappura Central Prison. The project was abandoned on the basis that if a new prison is built on the 427-acre open prison premises, the system of open prisons would change, and there is no need for two central prisons in the capital district.

No superintendent in two district prisons

The lack of superintendents in the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode district jails is also creating a crisis. A month has passed since the file in this regard reached the Chief Minister's office, but no action has been taken. The joint superintendent has the additional charge of the superintendent.

Total prisoners in the state: 10418 Male prisoners: 10130 Female prisoners: 267 Transgender: 21 Remand prisoners: 4605 Punishment prisoners: 4251 Trial prisoners: 1238 Gundam Act prisoners: 316