Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday directed officials to simplify and clarify the rules for premature release of prisoners suffering from serious diseases, old age or disability.
Press release issued
The release said the policy should be “transparent, humane and in line with Supreme Court guidelines to ensure that eligible prisoners are automatically considered without the need for them to apply separately.”
These prisoners will not get relief
In a review meeting of prison administration and correctional services, the Chief Minister directed the officials to conduct a statewide survey to identify elderly and helpless prisoners suffering from fatal diseases and give priority to their release. He also stressed on including women and elderly convicts in the priority list.
Chief Minister Yogi stressed that the jail manual should clearly mention which diseases are incurable. He also stressed that premature release should not apply to convicts of heinous crimes like murder, terrorism, treason and crimes against women and children.
NALSA’s model will be adopted in UP
He also suggested engaging prisoners in activities like agriculture and animal care during their jail term. Officials told him that the model suggested by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is being considered for adoption in Uttar Pradesh as well. The chief minister directed that a draft of the new policy be prepared soon. Meanwhile, chief minister Adityanath has stressed the urgent need to replace the colonial-era Societies Registration Act, 1860 in Uttar Pradesh with a modern and practical law.
