Panel for a fresh round of parole to decongest jails

New Delhi: A

meeting

of Delhi High Court’s

high-powered committee

headed by justice Vipin Sanghi and other senior officers over

de-congestion

of

Delhi prisons

has revealed that as on May 3, 2021, there were

319 Covid-positive inmates

, of whom 65 recovered, five died and 249 were active cases; whereas 135 staffers were positive, of whom eight recovered.

Also, in February 2021, a total of 5,124 inmates were released on bail and parole from the prisons to reduce risk of infection spread and maintain social distancing norms. It also came on record that so far more than 85% of the jail staff have been vaccinated, besides 564 inmates being inoculated. The committee also observed that currently India in general and Delhi in particular were “engulfed” by the second wave of Covid-19, which according to medical experts was more virulent and fatal in comparison to last year’s strain. “In a matter of a few weeks, this wave has left everyone gasping for air. It has led everyone to struggle to breathe or with asphyxia, which is the most terrifying human experience,” the committee said.

Justice Sanghi suggested that as the new variant of Covid-19 was more virulent, the jail staff as well as inmates be directed and provided with double masks – one surgical mask and a cloth mask. Director general (prisons) Sandeep Goel assured to provide these masks to the jail staff and inmates.

Considering that the present situation had taken a “360 degree turn”, the committee deliberated upon the urgent need to take steps to prevent the outbreak inside jails. Therefore, it was highlighted that it was essential to identify and determine the categories of prisoners who could once again be released on interim bail or parole.