Shillong: Following the Supreme Court’s order to decongest prisons across the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority (MSLSA) on Wednesday held a review meeting through video conferencing with all the district jails in the state and the secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities.
The aim of the review meeting was to take stock of prison conditions and the implementation of direction of the High Powered Committee, constituted by the state government pursuant to the order dated March, 23, 2020 passed by the Supreme Court to decongest prisons.
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Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority member secretary NA Khan informed that the prison population in all the district jails are within their capacity, except in Shillong and Jowai. “All preventive steps have been taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. The district jails in the state have set up isolation centres for the new entrants in the prison. The District Legal Services Authorities have also taken steps for the release of the prisoners, in order to decongest the prison,” he said.
Khan also informed that till date 300 prisoners have been released on bail.
The discussion, deliberation of the meeting shall be placed before the High Powered Committee, for future course of action.
