213 convicts including 35 women released from Telangana prisons after getting remission

Before releasing them, these prisoners were counselled by a motivational speaker Akella Raghavendra, and family counselor and psychologist Jasthi Rajesh advising them to lead a productive life post release.

Speaking on the occasion, Director-General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Soumya Mishra, asked them to lead a fruitful life in the larger interest of their families. Of the 213 convicts, as many as 61 were released from Cherlapally prison, while 35 from special prison for women in Hyderabad and 31 from Prisoners Agricultural Colony, Cherlapally.

Twenty-seven and 20 convicts were released from Central Prisons Hyderabad and Warangal, respectively, while 15 of them from Central Prison in Nizamabad. The remaining were released from other prisons in the State.

The Telangana Prisons department provided jobs to 67 convicts and sewing machines were provided to eight women prisoners. As part of their reformation, several convicts pursued higher education from Dr. BRAOU Study Centre.

The State government has taken a policy decision to grant special remission to life and non-life convicted prisoners who have been convicted for offences against laws relating to matters to which the executive power of the State extends.

Accordingly, the government issued orders for the constitution of a scrutiny committee under Chairmanship of Principal Secretary to Government, Home department, to scrutinize the list of eligible life convicted prisoners as per guidelines and recommend it to government for consideration.

The committee, after a detailed examination of each prisoner’s case, has recommended the premature release of 231 cases. The Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services has been requested to furnish details of prisoners if anyone has been released as on today or expired or came to adverse notice or otherwise for taking further necessary action in the matter with regard to premature release of life and non-life convicted prisoners by grant of special remission.

The Telangana Governor then remitted unexpired residue of sentence, as on January 26, 2024 of 213 life and non-life convicted prisoners. These prisoners were released after executing personal bond of Rs. 50,000 asking them to ensure peace and good behaviour till the period of completion of sentence and to appear and receive sentence, if required, for not maintaining good conduct and behaviour.

The prisoners, after release, should appear before the District Probation Officer and Police Station concerned once in three months till the completion of an unexpired portion of sentence. Re-arrest of released prisoners, would be done on cancellation of remission granted in case he or she commits any criminal offence.