Kiosks In Odisha Jails Help Inmates Know Their Case Status

Bhubaneswar: To ensure that inmates have access to their legal rights, 16 jails in Odisha now have kiosks equipped that are equipped with computers and internet connections. Inmates can find out about their case status and bail applications.

Opened within the last three months, these have been installed at nine district jails, four circle jails, two special jails and one female jail in the state, The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported

The Odisha Model Jail Manual-2020 emphasises reforms, technology, and security. The kiosks were installed to ensure that the legal rights of the prisoners are fulfilled, Director General of Prisons and Director Correctional Services, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay was quoted as saying by TNIE.

“The facility will help the inmates to know about their case status and bail applications in the Supreme Court and Orissa High Court. The kiosks have staff to assist the inmates and share the information with them after collecting the data online,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Home department on Wednesday allowed the restoration of the ‘mulakat’ (one-to-one-interaction between visitors and inmates) facility in all jails in adherence to COVID-19 precautions, the report added.

The Directorate of Prison had written to the Home department on February 9 seeking its approval to restore the physical ‘mulakat’ which was suspended in March last year after the coronavirus outbreak. In a bid to ensure hassle-free conversation between the visitors and the inmates, toughened glass windows with 16 pairs of intercoms have been installed at Special Jail Jharpada in the state capital.