PANAJI
Unhappy over the Colvale Jail's overall functioning and lack of facilities, the State government has decided on a major overhaul with Goa Police to handle its security apparatus.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant conducted a surprise inspection of the Central Jail only to find that certain recreational centres were ill-functioning. The visit that also comes at the backdrop of illegalities reported from the prison saw the CM pulling up the senior jail officials.
“We have decided to hand over the security management of the jail to the police department. In the past, Civil Service officers were appointed as Inspector General of Prison. Now, we will have a Superintendent of Police level officer to take over as IG Prison,” the CM said.
While the SP rank officer will handle the overall functioning with an emphasis on security, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Inspector rank officers will be subordinating him at this facility.
With this, the government has proposed to have Administrative Reforms in the Prisons Department.
The CM also interacted with the inmates who narrated their ordeal while in jail. Sources said the Prisons officials including the superiors were unaware about the visit.
Sawant said key focus will be on better overall control, health facilities to inmates and enhanced training facilities for inmates as well as staff.
On the jail premises small scale industries in which the inmates are engaged will also be revamped with addition of activities like dairy, he said.
Sawant also expressed displeasure over the lack of continuous training to the jail guards.
