Bhubaneswar: In a major relief, prisoners lodged in different jails in Odisha will be given premature remission in their sentences.
This significant decision has been taken by the Jail Department on the occasion of the Prison Foundation Day. As part of the move, over 400 prisoners will be given a remission in their sentences.
More than 400 prisoners lodged in 87 jails across the state are set to get relief with the remission order issued under the power granted to the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services.
The convicts are serving sentences ranging from life term to one-year jail term for serious crimes such as dacoity, murder, and sexual assault in various prisons of the state.
Prisoners who have been showing good behaviour in the jail will be given a remission in their sentences. Among the prisoners who are going to be released, some prisoners are serving life sentences while others were sentenced to one year in prison.
As per the Jail Manual Rules, the Prisons DG has the power to reduce the sentences of prisoners. In case of good behavior, the DG can exercise his power to reduce the sentences by 60 days. Similarly, the Jail Superintendent can reduce the sentences by seven days in prison. The behaviour of the prisoners will be monitored for a year to decide any reduction in sentences.
Some more prisoners will get this facility in April 2025 as part of the prison reforms programme, Prisons DG A K Ray said, adding that this will help the prisoners return to the mainstream of society.
