UP jailers might get power to parole inmates

Agra: In what could be a major change in the prison system, a proposal to give jail superintendents across Uttar Pradesh the power to issue parole orders to inmates has been put forward by the state minister for prisons and is being considered by the government, according to officials. The measure is aimed at permitting jailers to take a call on allowing inmates to visit their families at short notice in case of personal tragedies or important events.

State minister for prisons Balwant Singh Ramoowalia had suggested reforms in the existing rules governing parole procedures at prisons on humanitarian grounds. “A prisoner is not able to attend the last rituals of family members while he is incarcerated. So, for the sake of inmates, I want to make arrangements so that jail superintendents are authorized to give them parole for such purposes,” the minister said in a reported statement.

The proposal is currently being discussed by the government. According to official sources, after the change in rules, inmates can apply for parole directly to jail authorities and if found eligible can obtain parole within a short period.

“Parole for 72 hours is granted under two circumstances. First, if an inmate has to attend funerals of close family members like parents or siblings. Second, in case of wedings in the immediate family,” said Lal Ratnakar Singh, jailer of Central Jail, Agra, talking to TOI.



For this, inmates or family members have to file an application to the jail administration or at the office of the district magistrate concerned. The application is then vetted by the DM and senior superintendent of police (SSP), after which it is accepted. The period it takes for the procedure to be complete depends on the circumstances. While in case of funerals it takes 10-12 hours, for weddings it can take up to a week.

Singh further said that the proposed amendment will make it easier for inmates to avail parole. “Now verification and other mandatory procedures will be done by jail authorities themselves, after which the jail superintendent can grant parole to the inmate,” he added.

Prison officials, while welcoming the idea on humanitarian grounds, said they are awaiting official confirmation of the proposed amendment. “I have not yet received an official order in this regard. However, the minister’s initiative will give immediate relief to inmates in case of family emergencies or events,” said Santlal Yadav, superintendent of Agra jails (central and district) talking to TOI.

“Such a system is in place in other states, such as Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, where superintendents are authorised to grant parole. In UP, only the district magistrate is authorised for this,” he added.


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