LOWER SHER, Dec 22: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said that  there is a pressing need to humanize prisons and prisoners, and for a societal and administrative change in attitude towards prisoners.
Laying the foundation stone of the state’s first ‘Central Jail-turned-Correctional Centre’ at Lower Sher near Kimin in Papum Pare district today, Khandu said this is the state government’s commitment towards transforming the prison system from a punitive to reformative approach, with the aim of ensuring prisoners becoming integral members of society, post their release.
“There is a pressing need to humanize prisons and prisoners, and for a societal and administrative change in attitude towards prisoners, both convicts and under trials. With this approach in mind, Arunachal Pradesh’s first Central Jail will be renamed as a Correctional Centre, where we will ensure every effort is made to reform prisoners and provide them with the skills and opportunities required for their meaningful rehabilitation as productive and participative members of society,” Khandu said addressing a public meeting after the ceremony.
Khandu said that Arunachal records one of India’s lowest rates of crimes against women and children.
“In 2021, chargesheets in Arunachal have been filed in 87.09% arrests. Both these are a testament to our Government’s policies and approach towards speedy and scientific investigations and filing of chargesheets in time to ensure that no guilty is let free and that no innocent suffers needlessly,” he informed and assured the government’s focus is on upholding the finest tenets of the criminal justice system, keeping in mind the rights of both victims and the accused, and the maintenance of law and order.
Asserting that for far too long, prisoners have been treated as a burden on society, he said, “We will now move further away from this de-humanizing notion. While ensuring the dignity of every prisoner, the Government is making efforts to educate prisoners, involve them in skill development activities and link them to employment enhancement opportunities. This will ensure higher earnings for prisoners, as well as work to lead them towards gainful employment and away from crime after their release.”
Khandu revealed that in order to facilitate continuation of education of inmates, the state government has collaborated with Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh to provide the same through distance education.
“I am happy to know that presently two inmates have applied for post graduate courses while three are starting their graduate level courses,” he said.
The Government, Khandu informed, is also working towards providing necessary medical assistance to inmates, and provide treatment to chronic medical conditions, such as TB and malnourishment, afflicting them.
“Today, on laying the foundation of Arunachal Pradesh’s first Correctional Centre, I appeal to the society at large to aid in prisoners, post their release, in their integration as resource centres and assets to society,” he urged.
While disclosing that the new Correctional Centre will begin with housing 500 male and 100 female inmates despite its capacity to house 1000 inmates, Khandu wished that it remains unoccupied most of the time.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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