Jammu, May 20 – Kot Bhalwal jail, a high-security facility in Jammu, is currently grappling with overcrowding as it accommodates 10% more prisoners than its designated capacity, according to an official statement on Saturday. During an inspection by Justice Tashi Rabstan, a high court judge and executive chairman of the J&K legal services authority, the jail superintendent revealed that the facility currently houses 999 inmates, exceeding its maximum capacity.
A team led by Justice Ranbstan visited the Central Jail on Friday to assess the situation concerning undertrial prisoners and convicts. They were informed that the jail’s total capacity is 903, but it currently holds 999 inmates. The team also noted the shortfall in the sanctioned staff strength.
Among the inmates, there are 579 undertrials, 353 detenues, and 67 convicts. Although 17 of them are foreign nationals, no female inmates are lodged in the jail, the official disclosed.
Additionally, the inspection brought to light the lack of certain healthcare facilities due to staff and equipment shortages. Ailing inmates had to be transferred to government hospitals for dental and eye treatments. The medical officer informed Justice Tashi that while three out of four sanctioned medical officer positions were filled round the clock, one position remained vacant. The jail had an X-Ray technician but lacked an installed X-Ray machine. Dental services suffered due to the absence of a dental surgeon, and eye checkups were also not available.
During the inspection, Justice Rabstan visited various areas, including barracks, dining and kitchen areas, the e-mulakat center, video conferencing facility, hospital, vocational centers, Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) facility, and mini stadium. The inmates expressed satisfaction with the quality of their diet and legal representation provided by either privately hired lawyers or those arranged by the Legal Services Authority.
Justice Rabstan also visited the jail’s newly installed in-house bakery, which is expected to commence operations soon. In the library, he met two teachers from the education department who informed him that 25 jail inmates were appearing in graduation exams through distance mode, while 87 were enrolled in certificate courses.
Regarding security measures, the jail superintendent briefed the team on surveillance camera systems and the complete restriction of mobile networks within the premises. Justice Rabstan also inspected the legal aid clinic and expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided to the inmates. He urged the para-legal volunteers to continue their dedicated work and ensure that welfare schemes reach the inmates.
