Latest news with #PrisonsandCorrectionalServices
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- The Hindu
RCB stampede: Suspended IPS officers given postings
Hours after Director-General of Prisons and Correctional Services Malini Krishnamurthy superannuated on Thursday, the Karnataka government appointed B. Dayananda, formerly Bengaluru City Commissioner, to head the Prisons Department with a downgraded post. Mr. Dayananda, who is now Additional Director-General of Prisons and Correctional services, was among five police officers suspended by the State government following a stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people on June 4. However, the suspension of four of the five officers was revoked earlier this week. The government on Thursday also revoked the suspension of Vikash Kumar Vikash, the lone officer whose suspension was not revoked earlier, and posted him as Inspector-General of Police, Internal security Division. The government also posted Shekhar H.T. as Superintendent of Police, Intelligence, Bengaluru, to the vacant post. However, Cubbon Park Sub Division Assistant Commissioner of Police C. Balakrishna and Inspector A.K. Girish, who were also reinstated, are yet to get posting. Taking serious note and lapses on part of the city police during stampede, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered suspension of Mr. Dayananda and his team, who were in-charge of the stadium security. The government also ordered the CID to probe the incident in detail, which is pending. Mr. Vikash challenged his suspension before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which revoked the order. The government has challenged the CAT order in the High Court, which is pending. The government ordered two probes led by Bengaluru Urban DC G. Jagadeesha and Justice John Michael D'Cunha, based on which the Cabinet on July 24 decided to initiate legal action against IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event management company DNA Network.
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dead fences and crumbling walls, Kerala's prisons vulnerable to more breaches
The escape of rape and murder convict Govindachamy from the Kannur Central Prison has exposed deep-rooted lapses in Kerala's prison security system, where outdated infrastructure and administrative inertia have long gone unaddressed. The electric fencing at the prison, meant to deter such breakouts, has not been functioning for nearly three years. This is not an isolated lapse. Except for the Viyyur Central Prison and the adjacent High Security Prison, all central prisons in the State suffer from similar vulnerabilities. Sources point to chronic underfunding and poor interdepartmental coordination as key reasons delaying much-needed security upgrades of prison facilities. While electric fencing has been installed around the central prisons, except the Thavanur Central Prison and the High Security Prison, several years ago, the absence of live power supply has rendered these systems ineffective. At the Poojappura Central Prison, the fencing has been inoperative for nearly two years. The issue stems from expired annual maintenance contracts (AMC) and persistent delays by implementing agencies, including the Public Works department, in preparing repair estimates. Even the High Security Prison stares at a similar situation, with its AMC having lapsed. Compounding the problem, the lack of periodic maintenance has also hampered the surveillance infrastructure within prisons, as many CCTV cameras lack technical support. Further exposing prisons to more potential jailbreaks, boundary walls in certain facilities are crumbling, forcing prison superintendents fund makeshift repairs using their own funds. These challenges are particularly acute in ageing institutions built during the British era. The situation has been exacerbated by Kerala's ongoing fiscal crisis. The government had allocated ₹20 crore in the last State Budget for prison upgrades, despite proposals for nearly ₹100 crore being submitted. Half of the allocated amount was later slashed due to budgetary constraints, further straining prison resources. The Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services has now pinned its hopes on the decisions taken at a recent meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that resolved to make electric fences fully operational in all major prisons. The prison authorities have also expedited the ongoing security audit of its correctional facilities. At present, the periodic assessment is complete in 39 prisons, with steps under way to conduct the exercise in the remaining 18. Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Balram Kumar Upadhyay told The Hindu that a number of steps are being planned to enhance security measures. 'Electric fencing will be the top priority for all central prisons. In addition, we will soon install 340 more CCTV cameras across jails to strengthen the existing network of nearly 1,500 cameras,' he says. To improve night-time security, high-mast lighting has already been installed on five major prison complexes. 'We are looking into every aspect (of security vulnerabilities) after the incident. Security measures are being reassessed. We hope to implement the upgraded measures within a couple of months,' he says. Sources indicate that the Home department is also exploring new technologies, including motion-sensing surveillance systems. The possibility of partnering with start-ups to pilot motion sensors is also being explored to detect unauthorised movement and potential breaches.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Government issues order for the premature release of Sherin Karanavar
The government on Tuesday issued orders for the premature release of Sherin Karanavar, the convict in the high-profile 2009 murder of her father-in-law Bhaskara Karanavar in Chengannur. The Cabinet decision for sentence remission had earlier drawn flak with various quarters accusing the government of having succumbed to external pressures. Sherin, who has been lodged at the Women Prison and Correctional Home in Kannur, was recommended for premature release by the Jail Advisory Committee. Having served over 14 years of her life sentence, she was deemed eligible for premature release. Subsequently, the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services referred the matter to the government, paving the way for her release. The decision was made under Article 161 of the Constitution, which grants the Governor the power to remit sentences. An official order, issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bishwanath Sinha, has been forwarded to the State Police Chief, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, and the Superintendent of the Women's Prison in Kannur. Her release is part of a broader recommendation involving 11 inmates proposed for sentence remission. Sherin's prison record has not been without controversy. Her tenure in jail included multiple paroles and disciplinary issues. In February, she was accused of assaulting a fellow inmate, and she had previously been transferred from Poojappura and Viyyur prisons.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
‘Nivruthi' deaddiction centre launched at women's prison in Hyderabad
On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Telangana Prisons department inaugurated a de-addiction centre named 'Nivruthi' at the Special Prison for Women in Hyderabad. Soumya Mishra, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Telangana, said that drug abuse is not just a health problem but a serious social, emotional and economic issue that affects individuals, families and communities. She stressed that every person affected by addiction deserves a chance at recovery and reintegration. The Nivruthi Centre is aimed at offering support to inmates struggling with addiction. It is named after the Sanskrit word meaning 'liberation' or 'retreat'. DG Soumya Mishra said every inmate has a choice, either continue on the path of addiction and crime or choose recovery and reform. She said the department is committed to helping those who want to change. She acknowledged the support of Tharuni, an NGO and Kondaveeti Satyavati of Bhumika Women's Collective. The event was also attended by D. Srinivas, DIG of Prisons (Hyderabad Range), N. Shiva Kumar Goud, Superintendent of Central Prison, Hyderabad, and T. Venkatalakshmi Srinadh, Superintendent of the Special Prison for Women, Hyderabad.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Products made by prisoners displayed at Saraswati Pushkaralu
HYDERABAD The Telangana Prisons Department inaugurated its 'My Nation Prisons Stall' at the ongoing Saraswati Pushkaralu in Kaleshwaram on Friday. The stall was formally opened by Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Telangana, Soumya Mishra. Also present were Jayashankar Bhupalpally Collector Rahul Sharma, DIG of Prisons (Warangal Range) M. Sampath and Central Prison Warangal Superintendent T. Kalasagar. Eco-friendly products made by prison inmates such as incense sticks made of used flowers collected from the Vemulawada Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple, handmade soaps, woven products and traditional durries, were on display. The effort is part of the department's 'Waste to Wealth' initiative, which aims to combine sustainability with rehabilitation.
