Kohima, January 31 (MExN): Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) conducted Lok Adalat-cum-legal awareness programme on “Rights of Prisoners” at District Jail, Kohima on January 30.
Attended by the Panel Lawyers from KDLSA, inmates, Jailor, Assistant Jailors and staffs of the District Jail, Asst. Public Prosecutor, Kohima, the programme had Tucuno Vamuzo, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kohima as Presiding Officer.
Kekhriengulie, Retainer Lawyer (KDLSA) explained the meaning of Lok Adalat. He apprised the inmates that they are not alien to the world but are equal before the eye of law.
E. Thiba Phom, Panel Lawyer (LDLSA) spoke on the topic, “Rights of prisoners”. He highlighted the rights of prisoners, i.e., right to air, to publish book, to live in healthy environment, to interview friends, family and relatives, to be released on parole and emergency leave, to consult a lawyer of one’s choice, regular medical treatment etc.
He also stated that jail is a reformation centre and the only difference is that the prisoners are kept within the four walls whereas the others are not. Apart from that, the prisoners have all the right to have access to everything as any other person who is outside.
He also highlighted that out of the total population of jail inmates in India, 4% is female; however, there are only 14 female prisons in India. He also stated that every person who falls under the category as provided by the Legal Services Authority Act can avail free legal aid if she/he fulfills the criteria. He also emphasized that prisoners are human beings too and they are entitled to all human rights and human dignity.
In recent times, he stated, there is a change in view of the law makers on the subject of prison and prisoners. Instead of stressing retribution and deterrence, they are favoring the theory of reformation and rehabilitation. Under this approach, he stated, the prison is regarded as a “Correctional Institution”, which should treat the prisoners as human beings, worthy of respect and impute them useful employment and self improvement, skills and law respecting values. Nowadays, the Courts have also begun to recognize the prisoners’ rights, he added.
T. Tesie, Asst. Jailor, District Jail Kohima, spoke on the topic, “Jain Manual Act”. He said that the jail manual which the District Jail Kohima is following is the Assam Jail Manual Act as there is no distinct jail manual for Nagaland. He highlighted that there are more than 600 sections under the Assam Jail Manual Act. He stressed specifically on Sections 3, 4,6, 24 and 292 defining the term of jail, accommodation for prisoners, appointment of jail officers, appointment of permanent medical officer, medical examination of the inmates, divisions of convicts in the A, B and C category. He also explained the three types of remission for prisoners - ordinary remission, special remission and government remission. He also highlighted that special diet were given to the inmates during special occasion. He also spoke on reformation, rehabilitation, vocational training and re-socialization.
During the Lok Adalat, 17 cases of compoundable nature were taken up for disposal. Out of the 17 cases, 4 were disposed and 5 prisoners were released. Thereafter, short discussion was held between KDLSA members and District Jail, Kohima officers, whereby new finding were made known to the KDLSA team and many new topics were taken up for perusal, a press release informed.
