Jails in Assam proving to be safer zones for inmates in Covid season

By: Rokibuz Zaman
GUWAHATI: Prisoners housed in 31 jails across Assam seem to be relatively safer than those outside for now as there have been only six Covid-19 cases among inmates of four jails of the state so far even as the state count has crossed the 12000-mark already.
There are multiple reasons — less overcrowding, following social distancing norms, proper screening and hygiene — for such a low Covid count inside prisons.
Dasarath Das, inspector-general of prisons, old TOI, “Six positive cases were detected in four jails — Guwahati, Tezpur, Dhubri and Mangaldoi. Four were discharged after recovery and two are undergoing treatment at the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital, Guwahati (MMCH) and in Mangaldoi.”
“The Guwahati Central Jail premises was declared a containment zone on June 5 after two positive cases were detected. After that, over 60 prisoners were tested but all tested negative,” Das said.
He added that no random testing has been done in the jails so far and everyone is “following” social distancing norms. “There is no need to carry out random testing as the situation has not arrived to do so. The condition in jails in much better than outside,” he said.
However, advocates feel that random testing should be done on an urgent basis in Assam jails. “The lack of social distancing, adequate isolation and physical hygiene facilities make the jails dangerous for Covid-19. Random testing should also be done,” an advocate said.
Das said initially, before March 2, the jails were overcrowded but after the Supreme Court order to decongest prisons to check Covid-19 spread, prisoners are being released from jails on certain conditions. “Now, the situation is much better. We can say we are in a moderate position. There is no overcrowding as of now. A ward houses around 20 to 25 inmates depending upon the capacity and size of the jail,” he added.
Das said Assam has 31 jails currently housing 8,900 inmates after the decongestion, against the capacity of 8,938.
“Altogether 5,900 inmates undertrials have been released from Assam jails on bail and personal bonds since the coronavirus outbreak in March,” he added. This also includes the 357 inmates who have been released so far from the six detention centres in Assam following a Supreme Court directive. After the order, the Gauhati High Court on April 15 directed that maximum number of eligible detainees be released within a week.
Das said over 115 convicts have been allowed to go home on annual leave, while 15 more were released on parole.
A March 23 order from the Supreme Court directed that all states and Union Territories to set up high-level panels, which would consider releasing on parole all convicts jailed for up to seven years to decongest prisons in the wake of Covid-19.
Das said the prison authorities are following the broad guidelines and protocol provided by the Union home ministry and state government in the management of Covid-19 in the prisons.
“Hand hygiene, social distancing, health monitoring, minimum movement and tracking and tracing of contacts are followed. Thermal screening is done at the point of arrest or taking custody by police and also during entry to prison,” Das said.
“Any suspected inmate, based on this screening, may be tested for Covid-19. All incoming detainees and new inmates are lodged separately in appropriate isolation facilities in the jail hospital or separate barrack earmarked for the purpose,” Das said.
The IGP added that though visitors are presently restricted owing to the rapid spike of the pandemic coronavirus, inmates are permitted to have telephone conversation with their lawyers and relatives.