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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Additional video conferencing systems to be installed in state jails to expedite trial of undertrial prisoners
1 2 Pune: A total of 315 video conferencing systems (VCS) and 589 cubicles will be installed by the state prisons department to expedite the trial of undertrial prisoners languishing in 60 jails. Additional director general (prison) Suhas Warke told TOI on Saturday, "There are 478 existing VCS and 314 cubicles installed in state jails linked to courts. We have proposed to install an additional 315 VCS and 579 cubicles in a phased manner. The total cost of the project is Rs 34 crore. The district planning development committee and the state home department have sanctioned funds of Rs 10.60 crore." Principal secretary (appeals and security) Radhika Rastogi told TOI over the phone, "Installing VCS and cubicles is an ongoing project sanctioned by the state govt. It will reduce the physical burden on police during inmate escorts by eliminating the need for physical transportation to court appearances to some extent. The project aims to save time, resources, and reduce risks associated with inmate movement from jail to courts and vice versa. " You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune Special inspector general (prison) Yogesh Desai said that the provision of section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita expands the use of VCS and other electronic communication within the judicial system. Now, more focus will be on conducting full-fledged trials, inquiries, and other proceedings, including examination of witnesses and recording of evidence using audio-video electronic means within the cubicle system to be installed by the state public works department to maintain the privacy of the hearing. Desai said there are around 40,000 inmates lodged in jails. VCS are being extensively used for producing the inmates for extending their magisterial/judicial custody remand, deciding plead guilty cases, and passing conviction orders etc. Advocate Milind Pawar, former president of Pune Bar Association, said the CBI took the initiative to start the VCS to conduct trials in the fake stamp paper case involving kingpin AKL Telgi and 64 others at the special court, Pune, in 2004. In the last 21 years, the state govt has installed VCS across the courts. VCS can do wonders if the internet connectivity system is improved and more storage space is created to install additional VCS at the district and taluka courts on the lines of virtual hearing in Bombay High Court and Supreme Court. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Round-the-Clock Prison Healthcare, Mental Wellness Push in Maharashtra Jails
Nagpur: Maharashtra's prison department is ramping up inmate welfare with round-the-clock medical care , mental health services, and access to educational and vocational programmes. The state has also introduced hot water systems, washing machines, and video conferencing units in many jails to improve living was detailed in an affidavit submitted by principal secretary Radhika Rastogi before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court in response to a writ petition concerning prison reforms filed by Nanded-based undertrial Sachin Lone through counsel Ratna to the affidavit, 24-hour medical staff is now available at every prison. "Specialists from district general hospitals regularly visit jails for dermatological, ophthalmic, and other medical needs," it notes. Additionally, psychologists and psychiatrists are being deputed via the public health department and also sourced from district further enhance healthcare, 261 new posts have been created for medical officers, lab technicians, attendants, and mental health professionals. Plans are in motion to appoint X-ray specialists, physiotherapists, and dentists at all central jails. These steps aim to reduce the need for external hospital visits and promote in-house affidavit also emphasises mental wellness through counselling sessions and creative engagement. Educational and skill-building courses — both short and long-term — have been introduced to prepare inmates for reintegration into society. These include literacy programmes, IT training, tailoring, and improved family and court interaction, video conferencing facilities are installed across all prisons. These units are being used extensively not just for trials and hearings, but also for inmates to connect with relatives, especially those unable to screens have been installed in common areas to inform prisoners about services and rights. "This promotes transparency and encourages inmates to access available support mechanisms," the affidavit improvements have also been implemented — hot water systems are in place for winters, and fans and clean drinking water units are being maintained regularly. Washing machines have been introduced in many prisons to improve hygiene also cited Maharashtra's compliance with Supreme Court guidelines and human rights directives, highlighting the state's progressive shift toward correctional, rather than punitive, incarceration."Efforts are ongoing to humanise prison conditions and ensure that basic rights of inmates are preserved while they undergo their sentences," she Jails: Round-the-Clock Healthcare & Wellness Push24x7 Medical Services Introduced:- Medical staff now available 24/7 in every prison- Specialist visits from district hospitals (dermatology, ophthalmology etc)- Psychiatrists & psychologists deputed via public health department- New Posts Created: 261 for medical officers, lab technicians, attendants & mental health professionalsFuture Appointments Planned:- X-ray specialists- Physiotherapists- Dentists at all central jailsMental Wellness & Rehabilitation Programs:- Regular counselling sessions for inmates- Creative & psychological engagement promoted- Education & Skill-building courses include:- Literacy classes- IT training- Tailoring- Carpentry- Focus: Reintegration into societyEnhanced Connectivity & Court Access:- Video Conferencing Units installed across all prisons- Used for court hearings- Enables inmates to connect with families remotely- Display Screens in common areas to inform about rights and services- Promotes transparency & access to supportInfrastructure & Living Condition Upgrades:- Hot Water Systems for winter months- Fans & Clean Drinking Water maintained year-round- Washing Machines introduced in many prisons to improve hygiene
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Maha To Create 2,000 Prison Posts Amid Swelling Workload
Nagpur: Faced with soaring inmate numbers and mounting workload, the Maharashtra govt has initiated a massive recruitment drive by sanctioning 2,000 new posts in the prison department. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This raises the total sanctioned strength to 7,067, with 4,352 positions already filled and 2,715 currently under major administrative move was disclosed in an affidavit filed by principal secretary Radhika Rastogi before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court recently in response to directives issued in a criminal writ petition filed by Nanded-based undertrial Sachin Lone through counsel Ratna match upcoming prison infrastructure expansion, the additional director general and inspector general of prisons has proposed 2,097 additional posts for nine under-construction prisons. These roles will be filled after the new facilities are completed, in line with departmental the newly sanctioned 2,000 posts are medical professionals such as doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as technical support staff. The objective is to improve staff-to-inmate ratios and ensure smoother operations in a prison system currently operating at 149% affidavit outlines that recruitment is being carried out in phases, with a clear timeline for completion by the end of 2025. This drive includes filling vacancies for warders, assistant superintendents, clerks, and specialist medical staff."Prisons today require far more than basic supervision. The growing , combined with rising medical and psychological needs, demands a comprehensive staffing policy," the affidavit further strengthen personnel presence, several steps are being taken to streamline postings and prevent overload in sensitive or high-pressure jails. Special training modules are also being introduced for both new and existing prison staff, with emphasis on human rights, crisis response, and the govt approved proposals to appoint X-ray technicians, dentists, and physiotherapists at every central prison. These positions will be created and filled in coordination with the public health department and district state reiterated its commitment to upholding standards set by the Supreme Court and other oversight agencies. "Strengthening manpower is crucial not just for managing prisons but for protecting inmate rights and reducing systemic stress," Rastogi stated in the a previous hearing, a division bench comprising justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi flagged the systemic understaffing plaguing prisons, noting that "almost every prison in Maharashtra is overcrowded" and that in some facilities, "the number of inmates lodged is double the sanctioned capacity." It said this burden severely compromises prison administration and leads to delays in decision-making, especially on prisoners' Expansion Overview- New Posts Sanctioned: 2,000- Total Sanctioned Strength: 7,067- Currently Filled: 4,352- Vacancies Under Recruitment: 2,715- Shortfall Remaining: ~15% will still remain after current recruitment- Timeline: All ongoing recruitment to be completed by end of 2025Staffing for New Prisons- Proposed Additional Posts: 2,097- Purpose: To staff 9 under-construction prisons- Recruitment Phase: To begin post-completion of new jailsSpecialized Positions Sanctioned- Doctors- Psychologists- Psychiatrists- X-ray Technicians- Dentists- Physiotherapists- Technical Support Staff(To be appointed in coordination with Public Health Dept & District Hospitals)Operational Enhancements- Improved Staff-to-Inmate Ratios- Special Training Modules for new & current staff- Focus on Human rights, crisis response, & rehabilitation- Postings restructured to reduce burden on sensitive/high-pressure prisonsCourt Observations- Occupancy Status: 149%- Systemic Staffing Gap: 40% shortfall in sanctioned strength- Concern: Overcrowding & understaffing hampers prison administration- Bench Note: Only 25% of total vacancies being addressed in this drive
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State Jails 149% Overcrowded; 14,608 More Inmate Slots Planned
1 2 Nagpur: Maharashtra's 60 jails are bursting at the seams, with inmate occupancy at a staggering 149% of the sanctioned capacity. The state's prison population averaged 40,634 over the last three years against an approved capacity of just 27,184, according to an affidavit filed before the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court home department's affidavit, submitted by principal secretary (appeals & security) Radhika Rastogi, came in response to a high court directive in criminal writ petition (No.256/2025) filed by Nanded-based undertrial Sachin Lone through counsel Ratna Singh. The state has chalked out an ambitious plan to address this chronic overcrowding, including the construction of nine new jails across key locations."New central and district prisons are being established at Palghar, Yerwada (Pune), Thane, Gondia, Hingoli, Bhusawal, Ahilyanagar, and Baramati," the affidavit states. Collectively, these projects will create 14,608 additional prison slots. Among them, Palghar and Baramati projects are already underway, while Ahilyanagar has completed contractor selection and begun state is also building 44 new barracks in existing prisons to accommodate 1,370 more inmates. An additional 67 barracks are proposed in the 2025-26 budget across 12 prisons, aimed at easing congestion in key acquisition is underway for 16 more proposed prisons, including those in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur, Mankhurd, and Satara. The affidavit notes that construction will begin once suitable land is secured and necessary clearances are state has also proposed a massive new jail in Thane with a 3,000-inmate capacity. A project management consultant has been appointed, and further formalities are in process. Approvals have also been granted for new barracks in Yerwada, Buldhana, Satara, Nagpur, and manage inmate load, authorities have been transferring prisoners from overpopulated jails to facilities with lower occupancy. In parallel, the state is implementing the ' Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme ', which offers financial aid to undertrials and convicts who are unable to pay bail sureties or fines. Thirty inmates have already benefited under this affidavit also refers to earlier submissions made before the Supreme Court and human rights bodies, demonstrating the state's commitment to long-term correctional reform. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
