Mangalore District Jail short of staff

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 4, 2011: The Mangalore District Jail, which is located in the heart of the city, often witnesses clashes of a communal nature; moreover, the inmates have easy access to mobile phones and ganja.

P. S. Ambedkar, the superintendent of Mangalore Jail, said that such incidents are common because of shortage of staff. The jail, which is supposed to have a staff of 40, has only 15 employees. Instead of 19 wardens, it has only four wardens and the posts of jailor and chief jailor are vacant. Important posts such as second divisional clerk, doctor, pharmacist, nursing orderly, and pump attender are also vacant, he informed.

 

 

The government had permitted the appointment of private security to help jails face the problem of staff shortage. In Mangalore, Terrier Security Services are expected to provide staff. However, this agency could fill only four posts because it is not possible to get people to work in Mangalore because of its high cost of living.

In the meanwhile, the number of inmates at the jail is unexpectedly high. While the jail is capable of holding only 146 men and four women, it currently has 237 men and 13 women in addition to 2 infants.

The new jail, adjacent to the old one, is almost completed and shifting is expected to take place next month. Although Rs. 2.8 crore was spent on this new structure, the government says that the jail will be shifted to Mudipu after five more years because the present jail is located in the heart of the city.

Once the jail building in Mudipu is completed, the district jail will be upgraded to central jail. The construction of an open-air jail is also suggested in a bid to enable prisoners facing life imprisonment to take up hobbies such as gardening and experience some fresh air.