THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has cancelled the relaxation of sentences for the accused in drug cases due to the increase in the number of offenders involved in drug-related activities after being released on parole.

Ordinary, extraordinary, and emergency parole will no longer be granted, and jail rules will be amended accordingly. The accused in the drug cases were out on parole when it was discovered that drugs were being sold to school children. The government decided to cancel parole in such cases to ensure that these individuals are kept away from society until the completion of their sentences. Parole was not granted to prisoners convicted in cases of drunkenness. Some prisoners who felt denied justice approached the High Court and obtained an order for parole.

The natural parole for prisoners in ordinary cases is limited to 60 days per year. Parole can also be obtained in emergency situations such as the treatment of relatives, marriage, or death. However, it was observed that even drug addicts were availing these parole benefits. The police and excise departments received information that prisoners released on parole had planned to smuggle drugs again. There are currently 452 prisoners who have been convicted in drug cases in the central jails of the state. As per Supreme Court rulings, those convicted in cases related to drunkenness are not eligible for remission. Additionally, parole is also not granted to accused individuals in POCSO cases.