Low occupancy in jails: Govt urged to shut down 6 prisons | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The state prison directorate has submitted a proposal to the govt recommending the closure of six jails due to consistently low occupancy rates. The plan involves merging these correctional facilities with nearby prisons and relocating the current inmates.
The directorate’s proposal outlines merging Banki and Baramba jails with Narasinghapur prison; Khandapada and Dasapalla jails with Nayagarh; Pallahara jail with Talcher prison and Athagarh jail with the model convict prison (MCP), Athagarh.
“The merger is necessary as it aims to optimize resource utilization and reduce operational costs. The six identified jails have been operating significantly below their capacity for several years, making their maintenance economically unfeasible,” director general (prison) Arun Kumar Ray said.
According to the department, running these facilities at such low occupancy levels puts unnecessary strain on the budget and manpower resources. “The merger will help us streamline operations and improve efficiency,” Ray said.
If approved, the merger is expected to result in substantial cost savings for the department, which can be redirected toward modernizing existing facilities and improving inmate services. The closed buildings may be used for different purposes by the govt.
Asked about the reasons for low occupancy in those jails, the DG said, “After enactment of the three new criminal laws, getting bail has become easier for the first time for new offenders. Besides, police have been advised not to go for immediate arrests in crimes whose punishment is less than seven years.”
ADG (prison) Amitabh Thakur said the directorate has additionally requested the govt to issue ‘formal closure’ orders for five non-functional jails in Rajgangpur, MV 79, Patrapur, Kashipur and Laxmipur. These correctional facilities were previously closed by the directorate due to resource limitations, operational challenges and security concerns.
“Though these buildings have been lying unused by the prison directorate, no official closure order has so far been issued. Official closure orders are needed to repurpose the properties for alternative govt use,” another official said.
The directorate’s proposal outlines merging Banki and Baramba jails with Narasinghapur prison; Khandapada and Dasapalla jails with Nayagarh; Pallahara jail with Talcher prison and Athagarh jail with the model convict prison (MCP), Athagarh.
“The merger is necessary as it aims to optimize resource utilization and reduce operational costs. The six identified jails have been operating significantly below their capacity for several years, making their maintenance economically unfeasible,” director general (prison) Arun Kumar Ray said.
According to the department, running these facilities at such low occupancy levels puts unnecessary strain on the budget and manpower resources. “The merger will help us streamline operations and improve efficiency,” Ray said.
If approved, the merger is expected to result in substantial cost savings for the department, which can be redirected toward modernizing existing facilities and improving inmate services. The closed buildings may be used for different purposes by the govt.
Asked about the reasons for low occupancy in those jails, the DG said, “After enactment of the three new criminal laws, getting bail has become easier for the first time for new offenders. Besides, police have been advised not to go for immediate arrests in crimes whose punishment is less than seven years.”
ADG (prison) Amitabh Thakur said the directorate has additionally requested the govt to issue ‘formal closure’ orders for five non-functional jails in Rajgangpur, MV 79, Patrapur, Kashipur and Laxmipur. These correctional facilities were previously closed by the directorate due to resource limitations, operational challenges and security concerns.
“Though these buildings have been lying unused by the prison directorate, no official closure order has so far been issued. Official closure orders are needed to repurpose the properties for alternative govt use,” another official said.
