Prisoners can stay with family in 2 Haryana jails

Inmates from the 'open jails' have the option to look for a vocation outside the jails to earn a living to support their family.

Jail inmates in Haryana will be able to enjoy the pleasures of marriage with the government giving final shape to a plan that will enable prisoners to stay with their family inside the jail compound.

The facility, which is likely to be rolled out early next year, will be extended to prisoners with a good conduct. The government has laid down certain parameters that will determine ‘good conduct’ of an inmate. Close to three dozen family quarters are under construction in jails in Karnal and Faridabad, where the project will be initially rolled out, said sources.

The family accommodation for prisoners will be under the 'open jail' where prisoners will not be locked up inside prisons. Instead, they will be kept under close supervision in the open jail. These prisoners will have the option to look for a vocation outside the jails to earn a living to support their family inside the open jail. Prisoners will move out of the jail in the morning and return by the evening. Authorities concerned are likely to facilitate job opportunities outside the jail as initial resistance from the society to hiring prisoners is anticipated.

With this, Haryana will join the league of select states to have open jails. The thought behind the exercise is to ensure rehabilitation of prisoners. These prisoners will get a chance to readapt with the society with a fresh perspective and develop a cordial societal relationship that may eventually prove fruitful for resettlement once their jail term is over.

The hill state of Himachal Pradesh also has open jails. Prisoners in HP jails leave for their daily work in the morning to nearby markets and industrial units and return to their barracks in the evening.