THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said the government would take legal steps to counter the stay order of Supreme Court on the release of prisoners who had served at least 10 years’ sentence in the state.
He was speaking after inaugurating the new office complex of prison headquarters on the Central Prison premises at Poojappura. “Though the state government had taken the initiative to release all prisoners who had completed 10-year jail term, the apex court had stayed the decision. But we stood by it and are committed to take further legal steps by moving the Supreme Court again,” he said.
He also observed that the Prisons Department had witnessed revolutionary changes under the leadership of DGP (Prisons) T P Senkumar for the past one-and-a-half years.
“Moreover, the department had passed the special rules in jails in the state after formulating a subject committee.
They had also succeeded in bettering the quality of food for prisoners. The department also held a major role in transforming the prisoners into good citizens and skilled workers. Hence job opportunities for them are aplenty,” Chennithala said.
He pointed out that the jail department had been transformed into a correctional services for the past one-and-a-half years. “During the tenure of Senkumar, the department had shown professionalism, putting an end to the third degree measures in jails. Despite the welfare of prisoners, the government will also consider the demands of officers including their promotion and pay scale revision. The government had held discussion with the Public Service Commission to make a new ranklist for the recruitment of jailers. In fact, the first and foremost assignment of the state police chief designate would be the issues involving the promotion and recruitment of police force in the state,” Chennithala said.
T P Senkumar, Kerala Police Housing Construction and Corporation (KPHCC) DGP Alexander Jacob were felicitated by the Home Minister on the occasion. The minister also launched the umbrellas made by the prisoners. Health Minister V S Sivakumar presided over the function while T P Senkumar delivered the welcome address. ADGP(administration) Loknath Behera, V Sivankutty MLA and Mayor K Chandrika were present.
The construction of the prison headquarters was completed at a cost of `4.5 crore.