Dr G Parameshwar: Jails can’t have places of worship, it’s illegal!
Bengaluru: No jail is supposed to have places of worship and prayer halls inside its premises and those constructed are illegal, states an order from the home department. However, writings that preach moral lessons which help in the transformation of jailbirds are permitted.
“I have not issued fresh orders. These have been there in the law book, I have only given my reply to an elected representative in the Legislature,” Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar told Deccan Chronicle.
The home minister had given a written reply to Mr Ivan D'souza, a Congress member in the Legislative Council, regarding paintings of gods and goddesses on jail walls. According to Dr Parameshwar, any new rule pertaining to his department needs approval of the state government. A new order can be passed only after due consultation.
“After I took over the reins of the home department I have not passed any new rules pertaining to jails. As per the order, construction of places of worship and prayer halls within jail is strictly banned and such construction is considered 'illegal'. However, there are many make-shift places of worship within jails which were constructed many years ago to help the inmates offer prayers. It gives them solace and peace of mind besides helping them to reform themselves as long as they stay in jail,” he said.
“Anything, which is constructed without bringing it to the notice of higher-ups, is 'illegal'. The approved ones are those which are constructed after submitting a proposal to the government and taking funds to build them,” said a senior officer, Department of Prisons, on the condition of anonymity.
Dr Parameshwar noted that several jails across the state have writings on morality and wise sayings of great people to instill confidence among jailbirds that may help in their transformation.
The home minister said the district administration of Dakshina Kannada and Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board have recommended to the state board of KIADB to hand over 13.13 acres of land to the Department of Prisons to construct a new jail in Mangaluru.
The new jail is coming up on 63.89 acres of land between Chelur and Kurnadu villages in Bantwal taluk around 28 km from Mangaluru city. Construction work would start once KIADB hands over the land to the department concerned. On the installation of jammers within jails to check the use of mobile phones, the minister said the government had given its administrative approval on November 11, 2014 and had issued work orders. Funds have been released to the PWD to draw a separate line to Mangaluru Jail to install the jammer. The PWD is executing the work, he added.
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