MAPUSA
The Colvale jail has been confronted with all kinds of problems, amid allegations that subordinate jail staff and even under trials end up doing all kinds of odd jobs.
As many as 490 prisoners are housed at the Colvale jail and 32 of them are women. The jail staff comprises a superintendent, two assistant superintendents, eight jailors and 13 assistant jailors.
Shamsundar Parab was jail superintendent at Colvale, but was recently and replaced by Narayan Prabhudesai, while Bhanudas Pednekar and Chandrakant Harijan are assistant superintendents. Besides, there are three drivers and three vehicles for the prison.
In addition, 100 guards have been appointed to the Colvale jail, but five of them have been sent to the Sada sub-jail at Vasco.
According to sources, though staff has been sanctioned for the Colvale jail, they have been doing all kinds of work.
"Some of these guards have been deputed for protection of ministers. A canteen contractor, Mahesh Fadte, has allegedly sought the services of a guard as his helper and is being forced to do all the canteen work."
"Some officers have even taken under trials to Mapusa market to buy materials for the canteen, providing them an opportunity to escape," said the source, who added that guards are even assaulted by jail inmates on occasions.
In another surprising revelation, sources added, "office work is done by some jail inmates as the jail staff are computer illiterate."
Equally shocking was the disclosure that Mahanand Naik, an accused in as many as 18 murders, has been entrusted with various odd jobs in the jail.
"Mahanand performs the work of a plumber and electrician, as there is no one to undertake electrical or plumbing works in the jail.
In one incident, the water tank was found leaking and Mahanand was taken to the jail compound to repair the leak," the source said.
Issues pertaining to lax security were also highlighted at the Colvale jail.
"Jail security is entrusted to the Central Reserve Police Force, but they are not serious about security. Despite the murder of an under trial, Aspak Bengre, in jail, there has been no steps to beef up security. There are no checks at the entrance and it is not difficult to supply arms and ammunition to jail inmates," the source added.
There are also allegations that some senior officials have passed on their responsibility to their juniors and proceed home during night shifts.
Issues pertaining to frustration among jail staff have also come to the fore.
"There are 12 jail head constables and three among them are due for retirement shortly. According to guidelines, jail guards in service for 12 years are to be promoted as head constable, but some guards have completed 20 years in service and are yet to be promoted. Due to this and other problems, many staffers are frustrated," the source said.
