Inspector General (Prisons), Mariahom Kharkrang informed that a review committee had released a total number of 18 prisoners and convicts on remission, in compliance with the apex court’s directive.
The High Power Committee set up by the State Government and the sentence review committee had released a total number of 11 convicts and seven prisoners on remission, informed Kharkrang.
Talking to reporters here today, Kharkrang said that they had released the prisoners after proper scrutiny.
He further added that a total of 1,158 Under-Trial Prisoners (UTPs), who were locked in different district jails, were released by various courts.
Kharkrang also clarified that each of the cases has been scrutinized and the prisoners were released as per the rules and the ground of eligibility.
While replying to a query, he said they didn’t release any prisoners, who are involved in serious crimes like – rape, POCSO cases and murder cases.
“We are looking only at cases that are lighter sentences,” Kharkrang said.
Notably, on March 30 2020, eight children, who are in conflict with the law, were released from the observation home (Boys) Mawkasiang, Shillong. Similarly, on March 31 2020, about 94 prisoners were released from the Shillong District Jail.
Recently, in pursuance of the order from the Supreme Court, a High Powered Committee was constituted in the State to examine the possibilities of releasing prisoners on parole or bail to decongest the jails given the COVID-19 outbreak.