Open-air camps for prisoners on the cards

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18

The state government has framed the Haryana Prisoners Open-Air Camp Rules, 2018 for shifting jail inmates to open-air camps in the state and provide them with a pre-release opportunity to learn social adjustment and economic self-dependence. The step has been taken with a view to encouraging good conduct, satisfactory performance of work and a life of self-discipline among prisoners.

A spokesman for the Home Department said on Monday that the government, on the recommendations of the Director General, Prisons, may establish as many camps as necessary in the vicinity of a regular prison under general directions and control of its superintendent.

He said accommodation, including electricity and water supply and other basic amenities, for housing prisoners would be made available and a suitable number of family accommodations would also be provided at the camps.

A prisoner shifted to the camp would arrange food, clothing and other requirements of daily routine for himself as well as for his family out of his own earnings.

The spokesman said if a prisoner shifted to the camp was employed by the Jail Superintendent to perform a work, he would be paid fixed minimum wages.

The prisoner shifted to the camp would have to keep a family member with him. The prisoner and his family member would maintain discipline, cleanliness and hygiene in the camp, he added.