Punjab okays blueprint to rehabilitate drug addict inmates: Thandal

Chandigarh, June 25, 2014: The Punjab Jails Minister Sohan Singh Thandal today okayed a blueprint to rehabilitate inmates addicted to drugs to bring them productive asset of the society.

“The Punjab state has been marching forward with firm footing to eradicate the drug menace from the state. Supply of drugs into the jails would be checked ruthlessly anyone found indulged in such nefarious activities would be brought to the books” he said while giving final touches to the blueprint during a high level review meeting with the jail authority of the state here today.

Taking stock of arrangements and security measures made for prevention of drugs and rehabilitation of inmates, the Minister asked the authorities to categorize the addicted inmates on the basis of their background so the requisite and adequate treatment along rehabilitation could be extended. He said the real purpose of crusade against drug addiction was to create agreeable atmosphere for addicted youth in the society. The Minister also directed the jail authorities to ensure the availability of all essential medicines and there should be no paucity of these medicines.

Thandal also issued strict directions to the jail authorities to maintain foolpfroof internal security arrangements to avert the incidents of clash and conflicts between inmates. He said inmates having serious criminal background would be kept under high observation and the laxity in this regard would not be tolerated at any cost. He said this exercise would not only prove a boon to cultivate congenial environment in jails but also be helpful for brining criminals in mainstream. The Minister said negligence in Jail security was on top in the list of priorities for bringing reforms in jails and negligence in this regard would not bearable. 

Reviewing the status of meeting rooms in jails, Thandal also directed Jail Superintendents and Deputy Jail Superintendents to ensure the CCTV cameras installed in the meeting rooms were in working condition.

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary, R.P. Meena, ADGP (Jails), Jagjit Singh IG (Jails), Lakhminder Singh DIG besides superintendents and deputy superintendents of all jails.