the goan I network
MAPUSA
Taking serious note of a report in The Goan, Inspector General of Prisons Rajendra Mirajkar has issued a memo to officials of Colvale Central jail, directing them to explain allegations of inappropriate tasks being assigned to jail inmates and junior staff.
In its report on Sunday, The Goan had highlighted various anomalies at the state-of-art Central Jail in Colvale, whereby Mahanand Naik, an undertrial accused in multiple murders was entrusted the task of plumbing-cum-electrical work, while inmates were made to function as office staff.
The report had also revealed that a jail guard doubles up as a canteen helper, while some officers had even taken undertrials to Mapusa market to buy materials for the canteen.
Responding quickly to The Goan report, the IG of Prisons issued a memo to officials at Colvale, directing them to submit a reply within eight days.
Issues pertaining to lax security were also highlighted at the Colvale jail, with no checks at the entrance.
The Goan report had also stated that some senior officials were accused of passing on their responsibility to their juniors and proceed home during night shifts.
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.
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.
Sources had told The Goan that though staff has been sanctioned for the Colvale jail, they have been doing all kinds of work and some of these guards have also been deputed for protection of ministers.
