Shifting of Kolkata jails likely to begin from June 1st

From June 1st, the Kolkata authorities will begin the process for shifting inmates from three correctional homes. In the first phase, about 500 inmates from Alipore Correctional Home would be taken to the newly-built correctional home at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district.

Sources said that West Bengal Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, which has shouldered the responsibility of putting up the structure, would over the keys to the Correctional Services department in May this year.

Similarly, Alipore Women's Correctional Home will be shifted to Santragachi in Howrah district. Sources at Nabanna, the state secretariat said that Presidency Correctional Home which had been built during the British era, would also be shifted. A plot of land situated beside the new correctional home at Baruipur has also been earmarked. The land is owned by KMDA. It was also found out that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had instructed that on January 1, 2019, the first phase of shifting inmates from Presidency Correctional Home should begin.

Sources at the Correctional Services department said that according to the jail code, every district should have a jail and if the Presidency Correctional Home is shifted, that code will be affected. Alipore Correctional Home and Alipore Women's Correctional Home are situated in Kolkata but they are under the jurisdiction of South 24 Parganas and prisoners from these two places are produced at the Alipore Court while under trials and prisoners held from criminal activities withing the Kolkata Police jurisdiction are kept at Presidency Correctional Homes and are produced at Bankshal Court. 

Experts also believe that there might be some legality cropping up in shifting Presidency Correctional Home and there can be a requirement of procuring an approval of the Supreme Court for the purpose. 

Sources also said that on February 27 there is a meeting of the Standing Committee regarding Correctional Services. The issue would be raised during the meeting.