Eight convicts refuse to go home on COVID-19 parole
The Hindu
They cite safety, livelihood issues as reasons
At least eight convicts lodged in Mysuru Central jail have refused to go home on the 90-day parole offered to eligible jail inmates with a view to decongesting prisons in the wake of the second surge in COVID-19 infections. While more than 75 jail inmates, including convicts, undertrials and convicts approved for pre-mature release, had walked out of Mysuru jail premises during the last few days, at least 8 convicts had turned down the offer, citing “safety from COVID-19” and “livelihood issues” they are likely to face out of prison. Two more eligible convicts are undergoing treatment for COVID-19 and the jail authorities are yet to hear from them whether they will take parole or not. The jail authorities began releasing convicts and undertrials on COVID-19 parole in the second week of May this year to decongest the prison, which is housing an estimated 750 inmates, as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court last year.More Related News