Prisons breeding crime in Hyderabad

Last year the police arrested around 4,000 repeat offenders. Most of them were encouraged to commit crimes after meeting ‘new partners’ in jail. In the city many chain snatchers and rowdies have launched new gangs with acquaintances they found in prison. 

 

Cyberabad Central Crime Station police officials who counselled 1,500 prisoners and repeat offenders say that rehabilitation is the only way to check this. 

 

When Commissioner Task Force West Zone team arrested two chain snatchers on June 25, the officials was taken aback seeing the number of offences committed by the duo. Shaik Saleem from Chandray-angutta and Syed Abdul Majeed from Gulzar house had committed 73 chain snatchings in the city. The duo had met in Cherlapally jail after they were imprisoned for petty thefts. One of them was serving sentence for stealing a laptop. However, they teamed up in jail and snatched a whopping 2.135 kg gold once they came out.

 

Two days ago, Cyberabad police busted a gang of ex-convicts turned chain snatchers, who targeted 12 victims on the outskirts. The gang also broke into two houses and stole gold ornaments. The Cyberabad CCS team also seized 300 gram gold ornaments from them. Officials said the gangsters met in prison and chalked out their plans. After they were released, they started committing the same offences with more care till they were caught by the police.

 

Experts say that lack of rehabilitation compel prisoners to choose the wrong way even after being freed from jail. “A majority of these repeat offenders are anxious about their future outside jail. When they meet others, and have a lot of free time inside prison, they end up planning offences,” said a senior police officer from Cyberabad.

 

Meanwhile, the prisoners rehabilitation policy of Cyberabad police has been well received. “For over a year we have been providing counselling to prisoners and their families after they come out of jail. Around 1,500 offenders have been counselled and 100 prisoners have been rehabilitated so far,” said Additional DCP, crimes, Janaki Sharmilal. 

 

The Cyberabad police had earlier opened a tea shop for an ex- convict at ECIL to help him lead a normal life. One more shop will be opened at Miyapur to help a habitual offender, officials said.