Over-crowded jails get washing machines to control skin diseases of inmates

On an experimental basis, nine washing machines were started in Yerwada Central Prison on Friday. Prison authorities said the result of the use of washing machines would be studied and based on it, considering the requirement, as many as 325 washing machines will be installed in all jails in the near future.

The total capacity of Yerwada prison is 2,753 inmates (2,536 males, 226 females). But as of now, there are 6,610 inmates—6,324 males and 286 females. Of them, as many as 5,572 inmates are under judicial custody, 972 are convicts and 66 are criminals detained under Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act(MPDA).

Prison authorities said all jails in the state are similarly overcrowded with inmates. While this is among the factors that has caused a rise in skin diseases, as a prevention, it is essential to disinfect their clothes and bedding by washing properly, officials said.

It was due to this that New Delhi’s Tihar Jail had started using washing machines for inmates, and Maharashtra’s prison department is doing so on similar lines, said Amitabh Gupta, Additional Director General of Police (prisons), at a press conference, Friday.

While the number of prisoners suffering from skin diseases was not available, Gupta said it was a large number. “When a doctor comes, we see a long queue for skin treatment,” he said.

E-kiosk for inmates
Biometric touch screen e-kiosk machines were also inaugurated at Yerwada Prison on Friday by prison department chief Amitabh Gupta. Special inspector general of police Jalinder Supekar was also present on the occasion.

Using the touch screen e-kiosk, inmates can get their information like case status, prisoner private cash balance, next hearing date, remission, parole/ furlough application status, release date, wages, remaining ‘mulakat’ opportunities and phone facilities, in a quick time. Also, inmates are provided with the facility of online meetings with their lawyers and family using the “e-mulakat” application, a press release stated.

Law and order problems
Officials said overcrowding also increases the possibility of law and order problems in jails. Last month a murder was reported in the Yerwada jail premises. There are about 1200 inmates in Yerwada jail who are booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Jail superintendents have been asked to segregate dreaded gangsters, accused in MPDA and terrorism and naxalism cases.

“We are taking steps to prevent confrontation of members of rival gangs. Members of different gangs are kept in different barracks. More CCTV cameras are being installed in 14 prisons. Also, there is a proposal for installing a panic button system, which will alert the officials about any untoward incident in a quick time,” Gupta said.

To hire 2,000 jail staff
The IPS officer also talked about the plans of constructions of new jails at Palghar, Hingoli. Ahmednagar, Nanded, Gondiya as well as Yerwada in Pune. “Sanction is received for recruitment of 2000 more jail staff, mostly constables. Currently our strength is 5200 including constables and officers. While the number of inmates is about 40,000. Of them, about 8,000 are convicts,” he said.