Plaint boxes put up outside barracks of Burail Model Jail

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

Following complaints by inmates of the Model Jail at Burail of extortion by fellow inmates, the jail authorities have now installed complaint and suggestion boxes outside all 18 barracks to ensure that the inmates are able to communicate or convey their message to the jail officials without any fear.

Two inmates were allegedly made to pay money after being threatened by other inmates lodged in the same barracks. The victims were continuously harassed and they were asked to convey to their families so that extortion money could be paid. Out of fear, they initially didn’t share their plight with any jail staff. Later, they disclosed the matter to a senior jail official.

Virat, AIG (Jail), said during his regular round of the jail he interact with inmates. All inmates were present during such interactions and that might have stopped inmates from sharing important information with him. “As a corrective measure, we got wooden complaint-cum-suggestion boxes installed outside every barracks which will enable inmates to share information with us without any fear,” said the AIG.

The boxes with locks have been installed outside 18 barracks, including women ward. “The keys of these boxes will be with my office staff and I will check these complaint boxes twice a week. If there are any complaints or messages, then I would immediately forward them to the Jail Superintendent for necessary action,” he added.