KRUSHNA PRASAD SAHOO Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) There are two purposes for which the matter has been taken up today, suo motu. One purpose is to deal with the issue concerning women inmates in the jails. A letter dtd. 1/4/2022 has been sent to the Court by MAADHYAM, a non-governmental organization, which is working on the project 'KIRAN' which provides rehabilitation to undertrial prisoners in various jails in Odisha in collaboration with the Directorate general (DG) of Prisons and Correctional Services. They have expressed concern about the mental health of single women inmates in as many as eight Sub-Jails in Odisha. In eleven Sub-Jails, there are two or less female under trial prisoners. The suggestion is that they should be moved to the nearest Sub-Jail which has more than one female inmate.

(2.) A copy of this letter be made available to Mr. Debakantoa Mohanty the learned Additional Government Advocate (AGA) who will transmit it to the DG, Prisons right away. Another copy be made available forthwith to the Secretary, Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA).

(3.) Mr. Subhakant Mishra, DIG, Prisons is present in virtual mode and states that instructions have already been issued to the concerned Sub-Jails to shift the single inmates to the nearest Jails/ Sub-Jails where there are other women inmates. Mr. Gautam Misra, learned Amicus Curiae has suggested that the DG Prisons may even consider the conditional release of such women prisoners. The DG Prisons is directed to consider even this possibility. A compliance report in this regard be placed before this Court by the DG, Prisons positively within one week i.e. on or before 18/4/2022.